How Much Force Does a Catcher's Mitt Experience When Catching a Fastball?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the average force experienced by a catcher's mitt when catching a fastball thrown at 43 m/s with a mass of 0.15 kg. The average force can be derived using the momentum change formula, where the change in momentum (Δp) equals the mass times the velocity (6.45 kg·m/s). The problem also involves estimating the time interval for the mitt's backward movement of 8.0 cm, which can be approached using kinematics and Newton's Second Law.

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A baseball catcher is catching a fastball that is thrown at 43 m/s by the pitcher. If the mass of the ball is 0.15 kg and if the catcher moves his mitt backward toward his body by 8.0 cm as the ball lands in the glove, what is the magnitude of the average force acting on the catcher's mitt? Estimate the time interval required for the catcher to move his hands.


deltap = mv

43m/s * 0.15kg = 6.45 kgm/s = deltap = Fav * delta t

I'm stuck here and I don't know where to go. I'm assuming acceleration is involved but I don't know how to apply it to the problem. Appreciate it if anybody could help, thanks.
 
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You can find the acceleration of the ball using kinematics. Then use Newton's 2nd law. Or you could consider the work done by the catcher.

[Please use Intro Physics for these kinds of problems!]
 

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