Question

On their way to the World Baseball Championships, the Nobles baseball team is warming up on the plane with a little batting practice. The plane is traveling 250 km/h [E] relative to the ground. The pitcher is at the front of the plane and the batter is at the back of the plane. The pitcher throws the baseball at a speed of 100 km/h. The batter swings the bat at 75 km/h. The batter then hits the ball making it travel 175 km/h. What is the velocity of the ball relative to the ground when the pitcher throws it?

Answer 1

The baseball's velocity relative to the ground when the pitcher throws it is the sum of the plane's velocity and the pitch's velocity, resulting in 350 km/h [E].

Step-by-step explanation:

The velocity of the baseball relative to the ground when the pitcher throws it can be determined using the principle of relative velocities. Since the plane is moving 250 km/h to the east and the pitcher throws the ball at 100 km/h, these velocities add up because the directions are the same. Therefore, the velocity of the baseball relative to the ground is the sum of the plane's velocity and the pitch's velocity. The calculation would be: Plane's velocity = 250 km/h [E], Pitch's velocity relative to the plane = 100 km/h [E], Baseball's velocity relative to the ground = Plane's velocity + Pitch's velocity, Baseball's velocity relative to the ground = 250 km/h + 100 km/h = 350 km/h [E]. Therefore, the baseball's velocity relative to the ground when the pitcher throws it is 350 km/h [E].