Calculating average forces on an Object

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the average force applied by a baseball on a catcher's mitt as it comes to rest after striking it. The baseball has a mass of 0.140 kg and an initial velocity of 35.0 m/s, and the mitt recoils backward by 11.0 cm.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial conditions of the problem, including the initial velocity of the baseball. There are attempts to understand the forces involved and the need for a free body diagram. Questions arise about how to calculate acceleration and the time interval for the change in velocity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing guidance on the use of kinematic equations and encouraging the original poster to explore the relationships between the variables involved. There is an acknowledgment of the need for further clarification on certain concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the original poster initially omitted the initial velocity, which was later clarified. There is a mention of forum rules requiring participants to make an attempt at the problem.

JustynSC
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Homework Statement


A 0.140kg baseball traveling 35.0 m/s strikes the catcher's mitt, which in bringing the ball to rest, recoils backward 11.0cm. What is the average force applied by the ball on the glove

Homework Equations


F=ma; FAB=-FBA

The Attempt at a Solution


Not sure where to start for this one

Mod Edit: missing velocity value added to problem statement after it was supplied by the OP.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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For starters you need to supply the initial velocity. It looks like it got lost between your fingers and the keyboard.

By the forum rules you need to make some attempt. What kinematic facts about the ball's motion can you derive from the given information?
 
Oops. Yes the initial velocity is equal to 35.0m/s
My frist attempt would have been a free body diagram depicting a ball traveling at the suggested speed coming in contact with the glove (or any object that acts against the ball's velocity. This in turn means there must be an opposing force (acceleration in the opposite direction of the ball's travel.) But since I don't know the acceleration, (or the time interval it took for the velocity to reach )m/s from 35m/s. how can I calculate that piece of information?
 
JustynSC said:
Oops. Yes the initial velocity is equal to 35.0m/s
My frist attempt would have been a free body diagram depicting a ball traveling at the suggested speed coming in contact with the glove (or any object that acts against the ball's velocity. This in turn means there must be an opposing force (acceleration in the opposite direction of the ball's travel.) But since I don't know the acceleration, (or the time interval it took for the velocity to reach )m/s from 35m/s. how can I calculate that piece of information?
Make a list of the SUVAT equations (look it up) and keep it handy. There is enough information given to find the acceleration if you choose the right equation from the list.
 
Hey thanks for that I have never heard of the phrase SUVAT equations. This was greatly helpful!
 

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