A ball is dropped from a height of 5 metre on a plane. On bouncing . . .

Question : A ball is dropped from a height of 5 metre on a plane. On bouncing, it rises to a height of 1.8m. Calculate the fractional loss of velocity of ball. The value of g is not known.

Doubt by Zoha

Solution : 
Case I : When the ball is dropped and goes from top to bottom then 

Initial velocity, u = 0

Final Velocity, v =?

Displacement covered by Ball (Height)=h=5m

Using 3rd Equation of Motion

V²-u²=2as

v²-(0)²=2(+g)h
v²=2gh
v=√(2gh) — (1)

Case 2 : When the ball is bounced back and move from bottom to the top then 

Initial velocity, u' = ?

Final Velocity, v = 0

Displacement covered by Ball (Height)=h'=1.8m

Using 3rd Equation of Motion

v'²-u'²=2as

v'²-u'²=2(-g)h'
0²-u'²=-2gh'
-u'²=-2gh'
u'=√(2gh') — (2)


Fractional loss of velocity
= (Change in Velocity)/Initial velocity 
= (u'-v)/v
= u'/v-v/v
= u'/v-1
√(2gh')/√(2gh) - 1
= √[(2gh'/2gh)]-1
= √[h'h]-1
= √[1.8/5] - 1
= √[0.36] -1
=  0.6-1
=  -0.4

The -ve sign shows that velocity is decreasing. 

Required fraction loss of velocity is 0.4 or 4/10 or 2/5.