How to use the coefficient of restitution calculator
Find how bouncy a ball is from drop and rebound heights. Enter drop height, rebound height in the fields above; the coefficient of restitution, energy lost per bounce, height after 3 bounces are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- h1 — Drop height (m)
- h2 — Rebound height (m)
Worked example
With drop height = 1.5 m, rebound height = 1 m, the calculator gives coefficient of restitution ≈ 0.8164966; energy lost per bounce ≈ 33.33333 %; height after 3 bounces ≈ 0.4444444 m.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the coefficient of restitution calculation?
Coefficient of restitution = √(h2 / h1). Energy lost per bounce (%) = 100 × (1-h2 / h1). Height after 3 bounces (m) = h1 × [Coefficient of restitution]^6. Here h1 is drop height (m), h2 is rebound height (m).
What inputs do I need for the coefficient of restitution (bounce) calculator?
You need drop height in m, rebound height in m. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.