Question

Three events are observed at a baseball game: I. A baseball is thrown by a pitcher. It starts from rest and is traveling at 38 m/s as it flies toward the catcher. II. A baseball is traveling at 38 m/s when it enters the catcher's glove and stops. III. A baseball is traveling at 38 m/s when it hits a wall and bounces away from the wall at -38 m/s. IV. The change in the momentum of the baseball has the largest magnitude in which case(s)

Answer 1

Answer:

III. A baseball is traveling at 38 m/s when it hits a wall and bounces away from the wall at -38 m/s

Explanation:

The change in momentum of the baseball is a function of its change in velocity. And can be shown mathematically as;

∆p = m (∆v)

Where ∆p change in momentum

m mass of baseball

∆v change in velocity

Which implies that the higher the change in velocity of the baseball the higher the change in momentum.

I) ∆v = 38 - 0 = 38m/s

II) ∆v = 0 - 38 = -38m/s

III) ∆v = -38-38 = -76m/s

Therefore the third event have the highest change in velocity and thus have the highest change in momentum.