A croquet ball that is hit by a bat keeps rolling horizontally after it leaves the bat because of
inertia?
yes.
It will keep rolling unless some force acts on it.
The reason a croquet ball keeps rolling horizontally after it leaves the bat is due to two main factors: inertia and friction.
Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion. When the ball is struck by the bat, it is given an initial velocity in a particular direction. According to Newton's first law of motion, an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an external force. In this case, the only significant external force acting on the ball is friction.
Friction is the force that opposes the motion of one object sliding or rolling against another. While the ball is rolling on the ground, there is friction between the ball and the surface it is rolling on. However, the frictional force acts in the opposite direction of the ball's motion, creating a resistance that slows it down.
The frictional force acting on the ball helps to prevent it from sliding or slipping on the ground. It generates a torque (rotational force) that counteracts the spin and helps keep the ball rolling horizontally. This is because the frictional force acts at the point of contact between the ball and the ground, creating a point of rotation. As a result, the ball continues to roll forward while also staying level and maintaining its horizontal motion.
It is important to note that the smoothness of the ground surface, the weight of the ball, and the force applied by the bat can affect how the ball rolls after being struck. These factors will determine the strength of the frictional force and, therefore, how far the ball will roll horizontally.