SPRINGTASTIC!

By 1-11

TESTABLE QUESTION
Does the number of springs on a trampoline have a
mathematical correlation with the number of bounces?

HYPOTHESIS
If the number of springs on a trampoline is doubled
then the number of bounces will double because of an
increase of potential energy on a trampoline

RATIONALE
This experiment could help design car suspensions
because the suspension in a car is used to keep a car
from falling to the ground when weight is added. By
learning about how the number springs affect the
bounce height; it could help engineers create a design
for a car that has better suspension. Also, it could help
children to have fun.

ABSTRACT
My question was does the number of springs on a trampoline
Have a mathematical correlation with the number of bounces?

My hypothesis was if the number of springs on a trampoline is doubled then the

number of bounces will double because of an increase of potential energy on a
trampoline was supported. To complete my experiment I
built a trampoline model and I bounced a ball on the model and I recorded how
How many bounces the ball had. My data supported that if springs are added then
the ball will have more bounces. This experiment could help design car suspensions
because the suspension in a car is used to keep a car from falling to the
ground when weight is added. By learning about how the number
springs affect the number of bounces; it could help engineers create a design for

a car that has better suspension. Also, it could help children to have fun.

MATERIALS

3 meters -

PVC pipe (1 inch)

6-

PVC T-joint (1 inch)

4-

PVC 90 Elbow Joints (1 inch)

8-

PVC Tee-Connectors (1 inch)

2 sets -

Springs (Everbilt Spring Assortment Kit (84-Pack))

1 meter -

Rip Stop Nylon Fabric (Joanns)

1-

PVC Glue

1 roll -

inch masking tape (any brand)

1-

Metric Ruler or Meter Stick

6-

Ball Bearing (Crown Bolt in.)

1-

Drill (any brand, Black and Decker was used)

1-

1/16 in. drill bit (any brand)

1-

PVC Cutter (any brand)

1-

Digital Camera (any brand)

1 pair -

Goggles (any brand)

SIDE VIEW
This is the finished product, it was
modified from the original instructions, it
had to be made bigger so the springs
would fit.

Picture by Laurie
Munoz

TOP VIEW
The finished product..

Picture by Laurie
Munoz

PROCEDURE
Make a model trampoline PVC pipe, nylon fabric and springs
Start with 4 springs, drop a ball from 30 cm high and count how
many times the ball bounces, complete 20 times
Add 4 more springs on the trampoline: and drop a ball from 30 cm
high and count how many times the ball bounces, complete 20
times
Add 8 more springs on the trampoline; on each side and drop a ball
from 30 cm high and count how many times the ball bounces,
complete 20 times

DATA CHART
Number
of
springs

Number Of Bounces

Average

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

1.05

3.2

16

4.25

TESTING

Pictures by
Laurie Munoz

MID-BOUNCE
Testing the trampoline.

Picture by Laurie
Muoz

GRAPH
Average Number Of Bounces
B
o
u
n
c
e
s

4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
4

16

Number of springs

DATA ANALYSIS
In my experiment about trampolines I found that if I
add springs to a trampoline the number of bounces will
increase. My average data was the following: 4 springs
= 1.05 bounces, 8 springs = 3.2 bounces, 16 springs
=4.25 bounces. As springs were added the tension on
the trampoline fabric or nylon fabric increased thus
causing more bounces.

CONCLUSION
My question was Does the number of springs on a
trampoline have a mathematical correlation with the
number of bounces? My hypothesis, if the number of
springs on a trampoline is doubled then the number of
bounces will double because of an increase of potential
energy on a trampoline resulting in more bounces, was not
supported. The reason for me stating that my hypothesis was
not supported is that every time I doubled the number
springs the number of bounces did not double. Although the
number of bounces did increase because the elastic
potential energy increased because when springs were
added the tension on the nylon fabric increased. When the
tension increased the resulting conversion increased. I can
change my experiment by changing the size by changing
them to a longer size.

Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.

REFERENCES

"Springs." How Products Are Made. 2001, Michael Manga, "Springs." World of Earth Science. 2003,
"Springs." Fly Fishing: The Lifetime Sport. 2005, "Springs." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed..
2015, and "Springs." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. "Springs." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam
Research, 2001. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
"10 Facts about Trampolines." & Trampoline Exercise. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
<https://www.jumpnation.com/blog/item/10-facts-about-trampolines/>.
"Ask an Expert: Board Index." Ask an Expert: Board Index. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
"Potential Energy." Potential Energy. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
"Springs." How Do Springs Work? Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
"What Is Hookes Law?" Universe Today. 13 Feb. 2015. Web. 11 Oct. 2015
"Trampolining Is a Big Bounce of Fitness." The Seattle Times. 28 Sept. 2012. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.
"All Classroom Magazines." Underground Trampoline. Web. 11 Oct. 2015.