How trampolines work: physics in play

If you were to sit your kids down at the kitchen table and tell them it’s time for a physics lesson, they’d probably start showing signs of torture and agony that only captive souls could rival. However, if you were to suggest they go outside and play on your new backyard trampoline for a while, they’d probably be gone before you could get the whole sentence out. What your kids don’t know is that it’s the boring subject of physics that makes their favorite gaming activity come true. If you’re interested in learning more about how the movement of all the parts of the trampoline work together to provide this fun experience, here are some facts to get you started.

According to the physicists and engineers who have analyzed the motion of the trampoline during its long and happy existence, there are actually several different forces that create the bouncing motion of the jump: the weight of the jumper to push the trampoline mat down on the starting position moments of the jump, the nylon and spring moving to return the trampoline mat to its unusual position after each bounce, and the momentum or driving force the jumper creates while repeatedly jumping.

Although you may not be able to get a pair of five and six year olds to sit still long enough to consider a physical equation, it’s important to note that the entire process that occurs when you jump on a trampoline mat is relatable. in a simply mathematical statement: Total E = KE + PE. Untangled, this equation basically states that when you jump on a trampoline you sacrifice some kinetic energy (KE) while accumulating potential energy (PE). As you jump harder and faster, you increase all three types of energy for the forces involved. While jumping harder is actually more work, it’s also more fun, which is why trampolines are recommended as cardio and strength training tools.

Although muscularly it is the equivalent of going for a run, or jumping rope very fast (two things that athletes do during training all the time) you will never have to convince your children to participate in this exercise. Plus, jumping on a trampoline mat is much easier on the hips, knees, and ankles, which is why it’s often recommended for people who couldn’t even walk on a treadmill or go hiking.