Why does a ball need air?

Why does a ball need air?

The air inside is then at a higher pressure and wants to return to a lower pressure. A basketball bounces because the pressure of the air inside of the basketballs restores it to its original shape after it is squished. The more air you have in a basketball, the better it springs!

How does air volume affect a basketball?

Official NBA basketballs are 29.5 inches in circumference, which means they have a volume of 434 cubic inches. The amount of air inside the basketball can change without the volume changing, however. If it is inflated above this level, the basketball could be damaged or burst.

Why do basketballs lose air?

Basketballs tend to lose a little air when left unused and through normal use over time. In order to bounce properly, basketballs need the right amount of air pressure. To get the most out of your basketball it is very important to keep it at its recommended air pressure, and to inflate and deflate it correctly.

What is a basketball filled with?

Characteristics. Nearly all basketballs have an inflatable inner rubber bladder, generally wrapped in layers of fiber and then covered with a surface made either from leather (traditional), rubber, or a synthetic composite.

How much air does a basketball need?

An NBA regulation ball is inflated to between 7.5 and 8.5 psi. By regulating a basketball’s air pressure, the NBA can ensure fair playing conditions. As this activity illustrated, the ball’s internal air pressure determines how it bounces.

Why do balls flatten?

When you drop a ball, gravity pulls it toward the floor. The ball gains energy of motion, known as kinetic energy. When the ball hits the floor and stops, that energy has to go somewhere. The energy goes into deforming the ball–from its original round shape to a squashed shape.

Does the air pressure in a basketball affect your shot?

The air pressure in a basketball can’t affect how you play and how good your shot is. Ones shot can defer at anytime and it really doesn’t depend on the air pressure in the ball.

How do you stop a basketball from losing air?

Store your basketball in a warm area. The cooler the temperature, the more the air inside the basketball will expand and leak. Don’t kick the basketball. Unlike soccer balls, basketballs aren’t meant to be kicked and can deflate much more quickly when they are exposed to extra force.

Is water bad for a basketball?

Rain or shine, hot or cold, neither indoor or outdoor basketballs should be left outside in extreme conditions. Any type of wetness can ruin the quality of your ball and make it lose its grip. Severe temperatures can also warp the shape of your ball and affect performance.

How was basketball created?

Using a soccer ball, two peach baskets placed 10 feet up in the air, nine players on each team, and a set of 13 basic rules, Dr. Naismith invented the game of “basket ball.” The first game was played on December 21, 1891. Initially, players could only advance the ball by passing it.

How much air is in a NBA basketball?

An NBA regulation ball is inflated to between 7.5 and 8.5 psi. By regulating a basketball’s air pressure, the NBA can ensure fair playing conditions.

Why does a basketball need to be inflated?

A properly inflated basketball is necessary to achieve as much bounce as is needed for a match. Store your basketball in a warm area. The cooler the temperature, the more the air inside the basketball will expand and leak. Don’t kick the basketball.

What happens to the air pressure of a basketball when it bounces?

The internal air pressure of a basketball decreases when it bounces on a hard surface. Since the internal air pressure of the basketball decreases at a lower temperature, the impact of the ball with the ground will also have less effect when it hits the ground.

Is it OK to fill a basketball with air?

A few general things to remember: Do not use high air pressure, such as the kind you fill the tires of your car with, to inflate your basketball. And do not fill your basketball when it is cold, or it could cause the bladder to burst.

How is the air in a basketball like a spring?

Basketballs are just like springs; the air in a basketball is like the metal coil of a spring. A basketball filled with air prefers to be shaped like a sphere, but when you throw it at the ground, it gets squished on impact. The air inside is then at a higher pressure and wants to return to a lower pressure.