Question

Estimate the average force that a baseball pitcher's hand exerts on a 0.145-kg baseball as he throws a 40-m/s pitch. Assume the pitcher accelerates the ball through a distance of 3.0 m, from behind his body to where the ball is released and ignore the air resistance.

Answer 1

Force, F = 38.66 N

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of the baseball, m = 0.145 kg

Initial speed of the baseball, u = 0

Final speed of the baseball, v = 40 m/s

Distance covered, d = 3 m

Let a is the acceleration of the baseball. It can be calculated using the third equation of motion as :

`a=(v^2-u^2)/(2d)`

`a=((40)^2)/(2* 3)`

`a=266.66\ m/s^2`

Let F is the average force that a baseball pitcher's hand exerts on a baseball. Using the second equation of motion to find it :

`F=m* a`

`F=0.145\ kg* 266.66\ m/s^2`

F = 38.66 N

So, the average force a baseball pitcher's hand exerts on a baseball is 38.66 N. Hence, this is the required solution.