Final answer:
The mature form of striking a ball with a racquet involves hitting the sweet spot to minimize vibration and increase ball velocity, using smooth motion to prevent injuries like tennis elbow. Understanding of momentum, rotational motion, and vibrations is key to this skill in sports science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of a correct mature form of striking a ball with a racquet include hitting the ball at the sweet spot on the racquet. This is the point where vibration and impact are minimized, leading to less strain on the player's arm and the potential for more velocity on the ball. Sports science details how a smooth motion through the stroke maximizes ball velocity after impact and reduces the risk of sports injuries such as tennis elbow. The physics concepts of momentum, rotational motion, and vibrations are integral to understanding this aspect of the game.
For example, when a tennis ball is hit on the racquet's sweet spot, it is comparable to hitting a ball at the percussion point, where little or no force is exerted on the hand (Figure 10.25). This efficient transfer of energy also reduces the unwanted centripetal acceleration that can cause a backward or forward force on the hand when the ball is hit near the end or down on the shaft of the racquet, respectively.