Question

In order to catch a ball, a baseball player moves their hand backwards in the direction of the balls motion. Doing this reduces the force of impact on the players hand because A momentum of impact is increasedB time of impact is reducedC velocity of the hand is reducedD time of impact has decreased

Answer 1

Using the impulse formula:

$\begin{gathered} F\Delta t=m\Delta v \\ so: \\ \Delta t=\frac{m\Delta v}{F} \end{gathered}$

As we can see, the time is inversely proportional to the force, so increasing the time over which the ball's momentum is brought to 0 will decrease the force required to stop it.

Answer:

B. Time of impact is reduced