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Physics Of Trampolines: How They Work

Understanding trampoline physics is a great way to learn how trampolines work and get the most out of your jumping adventures. 

It equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective trampoline user and owner. It also helps you avoid the most common trampoline injuries and keep your loved ones safe when using the trampoline.

In this article, we’ll explore how trampolines work. We’ll also provide insight into trampoline physics and tips on executing a trampoline double bounce effectively.

trampoline physics

How Do Trampolines Work?

Jumping on a trampoline allows you to experience the interaction between weightlessness and large forces on the body as your motion transitions between free fall and increased acceleration as you approach the trampoline mat.

At the heart of trampoline physics are three fundamental laws:

  • Newton’s Laws of Motion 
  • Hooke’s Law
  • Energy Transformation

Newton's Law of Motion

Isaac Newton’s three Laws of Motion–which he developed In 1686–describe the relationship between objects and the force exerted on them. 

They form the basis of modern physics and explain how trampolines work.

  • Law of Inertia: An object will remain in its current state (of rest or motion) unless an external force acts on it.
  • Law of Acceleration: An object’s acceleration depends on its mass and the quantity of force exerted on it.
  • Law of Interaction: When an object exerts force on another object, the second object responds in kind (exerts an equal and opposite force) to the first object.

According to Newton’s first law of motion, you won’t bounce on a trampoline by standing on it. You must apply external force to the trampoline by moving your legs to get propelled upwards. 

Similarly, the external force of gravity prevents you from constantly moving upwards by pulling you down.

Newton’s second law of motion tells us that your acceleration on a trampoline is inversely related to your weight and directly related to the energy you apply. 

At any given energy level, heavier people will accelerate slower than their counterparts when jumping on a trampoline. 

That’s why kids jump higher on trampolines.

Because each action attracts an equivalent reaction, every time you push down on a trampoline, it will push you back up in equal measure.

Hooke's Law

Hooke’s Law describes the relationship between the force exerted on a spring and its elasticity.

According to Hooke’s Law, the force required to compress or extend a spring by a certain length is proportional to that length.

Trampolines achieve their bounce when this principle interacts with Newton’s third law of motion. 

When you jump, you exert pressure on the trampoline’s springs and cause them to extend. This action creates an equal and opposite reaction from the springs, which launches you into the air.

The heavier a jumper, the longer the springs will extend.

Energy Transformation

Kinetic and potential energy are why you can jump higher on a trampoline than you would on the ground.

  • Potential energy refers to an object’s energy due to its position of rest. 
  • Kinetic energy is the energy caused by an object’s state of motion.

When you are standing on a trampoline without making any movements, you and your trampoline only have potential energy (The trampoline’s potential energy is stored in the springs).

Once you start jumping, gravity helps you gain kinetic energy.

As you land back on the trampoline, you stretch the mat downwards, transferring the kinetic energy to the springs and transforming your kinetic energy to potential energy.

When you run out of kinetic energy, reverse transformation prompts you to move upwards.

This cycle of energy transformation continues throughout the jumping exercise.

trampoline kinetic energy

What Type Of Energy Is A Trampoline?

A trampoline stores elastic potential energy. This energy emanates from the deformation of an object whose elasticity requires it to resume its original state. Trampolines can also gain kinetic energy when you jump on them.

How Does A Trampoline Have Potential And Kinetic Energy?

A trampoline can have potential and kinetic energy through reverse transformation. Reverse transformation allows kinetic energy to transfer from your body to the trampoline as you accelerate towards and get in contact with the trampoline mat.

How Do Most Trampoline Injuries Occur?

Most trampoline injuries occur from falling off the trampoline and impact with trampoline springs or frames. These two causes are responsible for about half or more of trampoline-related injuries.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, falling off a trampoline accounts for about 27 to 39 percent of trampoline injuries. Injuries resulting from a collision with springs or frames account for 20 percent of trampoline injuries.

How Does A Double Bounce Work?

Usually, a double bounce involves two people jumping on a trampoline simultaneously.

When that happens, the actions of one jumper increase the rebound of the other jumper, allowing them to jump higher than they would if they were jumping alone.

The most effective way to perform a double bounce is for both jumpers to land on the mat simultaneously. 

The first jumper pushes the trampoline downwards using their leg muscles just as the other jumper is about to land.

When the second jumper lands, they displace the trampoline further down, reducing the upward force it applies to the first jumper.

As the trampoline goes back up, it exerts more force on the second jumper allowing them to jump higher for extended periods.

Is Double Bouncing Safe?

Yes, double bouncing is safe when done correctly. However, it puts more pressure on the knees and spine, increasing the risk of injury when doing stunts. We recommend that you avoid tricks and position yourself far from the other jumper to avoid bumping into each other.

trampoline bounce board

Final Words

Trampoline physics revolves around Newton’s laws of motion, Hooke’s Law, and energy transformation. Each law is equally important in its own right.

Newton’s Laws of Motion and Hooke’s Law describe the relationship between trampolines and the force exerted on them. They also explain why kids can jump higher than adults using the same energy level.

The law of energy transformation describes the interaction between potential and kinetic energy between your body and the trampoline as you jump and land on the trampoline.

Double bouncing is an excellent way to increase your jump on the trampoline. However, you should maintain a safe distance from other jumpers and avoid doing tricks to prevent injury to yourself and other jumpers.

We hope that this article on trampoline physics has been an insightful read and you’re now more enlightened on how trampolines work.