Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Momentum
Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, represented by the equation p = mv. In this scenario, the baseball's momentum before and after the collision with the bat is crucial for understanding the change in motion. The change in momentum can be used to determine the impulse experienced by the ball, which is directly related to the average force exerted during the contact time.
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Impulse
Impulse is defined as the change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time. It can be calculated using the formula Impulse = Force × Time. In this case, the average force exerted by the bat on the baseball can be determined by rearranging the impulse formula, considering the time of contact and the change in momentum of the baseball.
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Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy of an object due to its motion, calculated as KE = 0.5mv², while potential energy is the energy stored due to an object's position, such as gravitational potential energy, given by PE = mgh. When the baseball pops up to a height of 31.5 m, its kinetic energy is converted into potential energy. Understanding this energy transformation is essential for analyzing the forces involved during the collision.
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