Question

type the correct answer in the box. a pitcher throws a softball toward home plate. when the ball hits the catchers mitt, its horizontal velocity is 32 meters/second. the softballs velocity goes to 0 meters/second in 0.8 seconds when caught. if the softball has a mass of 0.2 kilograms, whats the force of the impact? use f = ma, where a = \\(\frac{v - u}{t}\\). the force of the impact is newtons.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the acceleration

The formula for acceleration $a=\frac{v - u}{t}$, where the initial velocity $u = 32$ m/s, the final velocity $v=0$ m/s and the time $t = 0.8$ s. So $a=\frac{0 - 32}{0.8}=\frac{- 32}{0.8}=-40$ m/s².

Step2: Calculate the force

Using the formula $F = ma$, with $m = 0.2$ kg and $a=-40$ m/s². Then $F=0.2\times(- 40)=-8$ N. The negative sign indicates the direction of the force is opposite to the direction of the ball's initial motion. The magnitude of the force is 8 N.

Answer:

8