A 0.105 kg baseball is thrown upward with an initial speed of 21.5 m/s.
(a) What is the force on the ball when it reaches half of its maximum height? (Disregard friction.)
(b) What is the force on the ball when it reaches its peak?
Science
To answer these questions, we need to understand the concepts of force and work done on an object.
(a) To find the force on the ball when it reaches half of its maximum height, we need to consider the work-energy principle. The work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. In this case, as the baseball moves upwards, its kinetic energy decreases.
At half of its maximum height, the baseball has lost some of its initial kinetic energy. To calculate the force at this point, we need to find the work done on the baseball during this displacement. However, there is no information given about the distance covered, so we cannot determine the work done or force at this specific point.
(b) When the baseball reaches its peak (highest point), it momentarily comes to rest. At this point, its velocity is zero. The force acting on the baseball at its peak is the gravitational force, which is the weight of the baseball pulling it downwards.
To calculate the force, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. The acceleration due to gravity (g) is approximately 9.8 m/s². Therefore, the force on the ball at its peak would be:
Force = mass × acceleration
Force = 0.105 kg × 9.8 m/s²
Force = 1.029 N
So, the force on the ball when it reaches its peak is approximately 1.029 Newtons.