Final answer:
The force with which the bat strikes the ball and the force with which the ball strikes the bat are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, confirming Newton's third law of motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a batter strikes the ball with a large force and hits a home run, according to Newton's third law of motion, the force with which the bat strikes the ball and the force with which the ball strikes the bat are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. Therefore, the correct answer is b. The magnitude of force A must be equal to the magnitude of force B, so a = b.
During a collision between a bat and a ball, kinetic energy is transferred from the bat to the ball, resulting in the ball gaining speed and potentially leading to a home run. The force exerted over a period of time changes the ball's momentum, which involves an intricate exchange of kinetic energies and forces, illustrating fundamental concepts of a baseball bat acting as a lever.