The problem involves a baseball caught by a fielder's glove, requiring the calculation of the average force exerted by the ball during the catch. The context includes concepts from mechanics, specifically relating to kinetic energy and forces.
The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on the use of kinematic equations and clarifying the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. Multiple approaches are being explored, and there is a focus on ensuring correct calculations and unit considerations.
Participants note the importance of unit consistency and the implications of negative signs in calculations. There is an emphasis on understanding the underlying physics rather than just arriving at a numerical answer.
No, you're fishing in the wrong pool! Are you familiar with energy methods, or kinematics and Newton 2?mathcrzy said:F=(1/2)kx^2
You mean F=ma, don't you? So how would you calculate 'a' knowing that the ball goes from 35m/s to a stop in a 15cm distance? (Hint: use the kinematic equation that relates distance with acceleration and velocity change, and watch your units.mathcrzy said:would the equation just be F=mv?
Yes that looks good, don't forget units of a is m/sec^2. What does the minus sign tell you? Now plug it into F=ma to solve for F, watch units, and interpert the significance of the minus sign.mathcrzy said:0=1225+2*a*.15
-2*a*.15=1225
a*.15=-612
a=-4083.3