What is the average force exerted by a shot-puter on a 6.1-kg shot if the shot is moved through a distance of 2.8 m and is released with a speed of 12 m/s?

It depends upon the angle at which the shot is launched. The applied force is not directed along the weight force (vertical) direction.

If we forget about gravity, the applied force times the distance is the work done launching the shot, and that equals the final kinetic energy.

F = (1/2)M V^2/X

That is probably the answer they are looking for.

The actual force is acually higher because the shot putter is also supporting the weight of the shot.

To find the average force exerted by a shot-putter on a shot, we need to use Newton's second law of motion, which states that Force (F) is equal to the mass (m) of an object multiplied by its acceleration (a). In this case, the mass of the shot is given as 6.1 kg.

First, let's calculate the acceleration of the shot using the given information. We know that acceleration (a) is the change in velocity (Δv) divided by the time taken (Δt). Since the shot is released with a speed of 12 m/s, we can assume that it comes to rest when it reaches the target. Therefore, its final velocity (vf) is 0 m/s.

Using the equation vf = vi + at, where vi is the initial velocity, we can rearrange the equation to solve for acceleration:

0 m/s = 12 m/s + a * Δt

Rearranging the equation further:

a * Δt = -12 m/s

Since the shot comes to rest, the change in time (Δt) is not given. However, we are given the distance (d) traveled by the shot, which is 2.8 m. We can use the equation d = vi * Δt + (1/2) * a * Δt^2 to find Δt.

Considering that the initial velocity (vi) is 12 m/s and the final velocity (vf) is 0 m/s, the equation becomes:

2.8 m = 12 m/s * Δt + (1/2) * a * Δt^2

Now, we have two equations:

a * Δt = -12 m/s
2.8 m = 12 m/s * Δt + (1/2) * a * Δt^2

We can solve these equations simultaneously to find the value of acceleration (a) and Δt. Once we have the acceleration, we can calculate the average force (F) exerted by the shot-putter using Newton's second law:

F = m * a

By substituting the calculated acceleration into this equation, we can find the average force exerted on the shot.