Tennis balls come in pressurized cans because the air pressure inside the can helps keep the tennis balls from going flat. When you open a can of tennis balls, you can hear the air hissing out, which is the pressure equalizing between the inside and outside of the can.
The air pressure inside the can also helps keep the tennis balls from being squished when they’re hit with a racket. If there was no pressure inside the can, then the tennis balls would be much more likely to be squished and would not bounce as well.
So, in short, tennis balls come in pressurized cans because it helps keep them from going flat and makes them bounce better.
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Tennis balls come in pressurized cans because they can last longer that way
It is a common misconception that tennis balls come in pressurized cans because they are under pressure the whole time. In fact, the opposite is true; the canning process actually increases the air pressure inside the ball, which in turn makes it more durable.
This high air pressure also serves to keep the ball inflated for longer, which is why it typically takes a lot of time for a tennis ball to lose its bounce. And unlike other objects that can be compressed and stored in a small space, tennis balls don’t lose their shape or size when canned.
The next time you’re playing tennis and feel like cursing at the umpire for changing your game-winning ball, remember: it’s all part of the plan.
Tennis balls lose their bounce over time, so the pressure in the can helps to keep them bouncy
It’s a well-known fact that tennis balls eventually lose their bounce. A lot of people think that this is because the air pressure inside the ball decreases over time, making it harder for them to bounce back off the ground. But this isn’t actually true.
The reason why tennis balls lose their bounce over time is because the rubber material that they are made from starts to break down and decay. This causes the surface of the ball to become less smooth, which in turn makes it harder for them to bounce properly.
One way to help keep tennis balls bouncy for longer is by putting them in a can when you’re not using them. By doing this, you create a higher air pressure inside the can, which helps to keep the balls bouncier for longer.
So next time your tennis balls start to lose their bounce, don’t worry – it’s not because of the air pressure. Just make sure to store them in a can and they’ll stay bouncy for longer!
The pressure the can also helps to keep the tennis ball’s shape intact
The pressure that you put on a tennis ball is what keeps it from flattening out and going too far if hit with enough force. This is because air inside of the rubber sphere creates resistance, which slows down and eventually stops any sudden movement in one direction. So when you hit a hard serve, for example, the ball will have some give to it as it whizzes past your opponent.
The same principle applies to tires on your car or bike wheels: Air acts like a spring between the tire treads and holds both objects in place while they’re moving at high speeds over rough terrain. But this only works because there’s air under such high pressure inside the can.
If you were to take a tennis ball and let all of the air out, it would become flat and essentially useless for playing the game. The pressure inside the can also helps to keep the tennis ball’s shape intact, no matter how much force is being applied to it from outside.
This is why you’ll sometimes see professional players bouncing a ball on the ground before serving: They’re making sure that the ball still has enough pressure so that it will behave correctly when hit.
Tennis balls are usually of two different materials – natural rubber and synthetic rubber
Natural rubber is created from latex sap which is taken from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. Synthetic rubbers are made in a laboratory by joining together other molecules to create long chains of polymers, which can then be manipulated into any shape desired.
The type used in tennis balls depends on what qualities they want to produce; for example, one may choose natural rubber because it has better feel or more durability than the synthetic kind. It also all comes down to personal preference as well as what you’re looking for in a ball (e.g., how much control you need).
When deciding between these two types of tennis balls it’s important to keep in mind that they will perform differently on the court. If you’re looking for a ball with more power, then you’ll want to go for synthetic rubber. On the other hand, if you want a ball that’s going to give you more control, then natural rubber is the way to go.
Ultimately, it all comes down to what qualities you value most in a tennis ball. Do you want something that’s durable? Or do you prioritize feel and control? Consider your playing style and needs when making your decision – that way, you can be sure to pick the right type of tennis ball for YOU.
Why do tennis balls come in cans?
The most logical answer is that tennis balls probably come in cans to keep them from getting smashed, but it’s not an exact science.
The common practice of storing new tennis balls in cans dates back as far back as 1910 when the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) requested that Spalding “package their best quality ball so a good can could be obtained.”
Whether they decided on metal or plastic tins or aluminum cans, nobody knows for sure and how they were sealed at the time isn’t well documented either. What we do know is that while the USLTA couldn’t say with certainty why one package was better than another their reports are riddled with comparisons between canned goods and glass jars where consumers needed to be extra careful.
That all changed in 1926 when the USLTA switched to a new ball called the “Balkan” made by Slazenger. The change was short-lived as only three years later they went back to using Spalding balls, but not before the canning process was refined.
This time around, Spalding used enamel-lined steel cans which they filled with nitrogen gas before sealing them shut. The nitrogen kept the balls from getting damaged and helped maintain their bounce for longer periods of time.
While it’s unclear why tennis balls were first packaged in cans, we do know that the practice has continued because it’s an effective way to keep the balls from being damaged or losing their bounce.
Do tennis balls need to be pressurized?
Pressurized balls are much less bouncy. The pressure means that when the ball hits hard surfaces, its bouncing energy is absorbed and reduced more quickly, giving players using pressurized balls an advantage over those who play with tennis balls without pressure.
However, this can lead to a situation where some players hit shots with less power because they fear hitting the ball so hard it becomes difficult to return or even impossible to retrieve if it goes out of bounds.
Bouncier balls tend to be more popular in warmer climates (particularly Europe), while dampers make the game more fair and help spectators follow the game better because travel a farther distance before diving down into long grass.
The Australian Open has used pressured 1977 balls for the last two years and will do so again in 2022. The ball was developed by Dunlop Sport and has been used at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Pressurization also affects how a ball feels when hit. A softer, more pressurized ball will absorb more of the shock from a player’s racket upon impact, making it feel much gentler on the arm. Conversely, a less pressurized ball will have a harder, livelier feel to it that can be easier to control but may be more difficult on the arm over long periods of time. Ultimately, it is up to each player to experiment with different types of balls to find what works best for them.
How long do tennis balls last in a sealed can?
Tennis balls will typically lose air and go flat after a year or so, but they can last up to two years if they are stored in a sealed container.
The lifespan of a tennis ball can be extended by regularly checking the pressure and inflating as needed. Balls that are used frequently will also last longer than those that are only used occasionally.
Tennis balls that have been stored in a cool, dry place will also last longer than those that have been exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity.
Why do tennis balls come vacuum sealed?
Tennis balls are vacuum sealed in order to preserve their bounce.
Vacuum sealers create a hermetically-sealed chamber that removes oxygen, preventing the ball from becoming sticky or soft and also extending its lifespan. The seal may be broken to allow air back into the chamber, restoring its bounciness.
One downside is that should an individual get the urge to engage in some light vandalism (or worse), it’s really easy for them to tamper with the vacuum sealer machine by loosening its attachment screws, breaking off its power plug or cord, cutting through electrical wires inside with a hacksaw blade, breaking open a nearby gas line or damaging gas pipes leading into the building with a crowbar.
Consequently it is advised that people keep their vacuum sealer machines in a well-protected, secure location.
