- #1
CSOleson
- 17
- 0
Hey everyone. I've asked a few questions before here, but now I have one not related to my homework or career possibilities. It may be a little difficult.
I am a baseball player and I know classical mechanics and kinematics. However, this question is beyond that. I am trying to find a way to calculate the velocity of a throw when performing long toss. Long toss is a controversial topic in baseball where some try to throw the ball as far as possible to help increase arm efficiency, intent, etc. which overall is theorized to help with velocity. The reason I don't believe that kinematics will properly answer this is that we don't account for air drag, and there are too many unknowns. I don't know the time that it takes to travel the said given distance, I merely assume the angle (45 degrees) and know the distance (calculated by throwing across a football field).
So, knowing simply the distance, the angle, and the acceleration due to gravity and assuming no wind but also accounting for air drag, is it at all possible to figure out the velocity of a thrown baseball? Please let me know!
Also, considering air drag, would 45 degrees actually be the best angle for maximum distance? This would be less horizontal velocity and allow more time for the ball to be subjected to air drag. On top of everything, forgive my inability to do this on my own. I don't remember how to consider air drag into any equation...
EDIT: I forgot, how about elevation in this? I'm sorry, this may be too complicated...
I am a baseball player and I know classical mechanics and kinematics. However, this question is beyond that. I am trying to find a way to calculate the velocity of a throw when performing long toss. Long toss is a controversial topic in baseball where some try to throw the ball as far as possible to help increase arm efficiency, intent, etc. which overall is theorized to help with velocity. The reason I don't believe that kinematics will properly answer this is that we don't account for air drag, and there are too many unknowns. I don't know the time that it takes to travel the said given distance, I merely assume the angle (45 degrees) and know the distance (calculated by throwing across a football field).
So, knowing simply the distance, the angle, and the acceleration due to gravity and assuming no wind but also accounting for air drag, is it at all possible to figure out the velocity of a thrown baseball? Please let me know!
Also, considering air drag, would 45 degrees actually be the best angle for maximum distance? This would be less horizontal velocity and allow more time for the ball to be subjected to air drag. On top of everything, forgive my inability to do this on my own. I don't remember how to consider air drag into any equation...
EDIT: I forgot, how about elevation in this? I'm sorry, this may be too complicated...
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