How do you calculate how much force is applied to a thrown bal

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force applied to a thrown ball, focusing on the dynamics involved in the throwing motion. Participants explore the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, as well as the role of gravity in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the only force acting on a ball is the force of gravity, suggesting that this leads to a cancellation in the equation F=ma.
  • Another participant challenges this view, implying that the act of throwing introduces additional forces that must be considered.
  • A third participant questions the initial claim by pointing out that the ball transitions from a static state to a moving state during the throw, indicating that other forces are at play.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus, as there are competing views regarding the forces acting on the ball during the throw.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the forces involved in the throwing motion and the implications of static versus dynamic states of the ball.

Clarisse
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I’m trying to calculate how hard someone throws a ball. I know that F=ma, but the only force acting on a ball is the force of gravity and so the equation simply cancels out.
 
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Clarisse said:
I’m trying to calculate how hard someone throws a ball. I know that F=ma, but the only force acting on a ball is the force of gravity and so the equation simply cancels out.
You might want to rethink that.
 
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Clarisse said:
...the only force acting on a ball is the force of gravity...
Um...then what is this?:
...someone throws a ball...
 
At the start of the throw the ball held in your hand is static . At the end of the throw when the ball leaves your hand it is moving . What has happened to the ball during this time ?
 
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