We have investigated Xe scattering from the graphite(0 0 0 1) surface at hyperthermal incident energies using a molecular beamsurface scattering technique and molecular dynamics simulations. For all incident conditions, the incident Xe atom conserves the momentum parallel to the surface and loses approximately 80% of the normal incident energy. The weak interlayer potential of graphite disperses the deformation over the wide range of a graphene sheet. The dynamic corrugation induced by the collision is smooth even at hyperthermal incident energy; the graphene sheet moves like a trampoline net and the Xe atom like a trampoliner. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.