Question

A baseball is pitched horizontally toward home plate with a velocity of 110 km/h. In which of the following scenarios does the baseball have the largest change in momentum?

a. The baseball is hit straight back to the pitcher at a speed of 110 km/h.
b. The catcher catches the ball.
c. The ball is popped straight up at a speed of 110 km/h.
d. The catcher catches the ball, and the ball is popped straight up at a speed of 110 km/h have the same change in momentum.

Answer 1

Answer:

option A

Explanation:

given,

velocity to hit home plate = 110 Km/h

a) When the baseball is hit straight back

     Assuming the momentum before hitting be P and after hitting the bal is also equal to P.

change in momentum = P - (-P) = 2P

b) When the catcher catches the ball the change in momentum is equal to zero.

c) when the ball is popped up the change in momentum

   p_x = P and P_y = P

  resultant momentum = $\sqrt{P^2+ P^2} = \sqrt{2}\ P$

the maximum change in momentum will be in case  A

The correct answer is option A