Question

Two identical solid balls, one of ivory and the other of wet-clay, are dropped from the same height on the floor. Which one will rise to a greater height after striking the floor and why?

Answer 1

As the ivory ball is more elastic than the wet clay ball and both balls are dropped from the same height.

So, the velocity of both balls just before striking the floor will be the same. Thus, the ivory ball tries to regain its original shape quickly and tries to change shape which is negligible for the ivory balls as compared to the wet clay ball. Finally, more energy is transferred to the ivory ball as compared to the wet clay ball. Hence, the ivory ball rises more as compared to the clay ball.