Why does a ping pong ball, released just under water, shoot up quickly?

Subject: Why does a ping pong ball, released just under water, shoot up quickly?

Date: Fri Jul 18 21:47:44 2003
Posted by Kathy
Grade level: teacher/prof School: University of Washington, Tacoma
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1058582864.Ph

Message:


A ping pong ball released at the bottom of a gallon bucket rises to the surface 
quickly but doesn't shoot out of the water.  If the ball is released just below 
the surface it pops out an inch or two.  Does it have to do with the greater 
weight of water pushing down on the ball on the bottom, whereas the ball near 
the top has more water pushing up?

Re: Why does a ping pong ball, released just under water, shoot up quickly?

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