How Do I Apply F=ma to Solve These Physics Problems?

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Understanding how to apply F=ma in physics problems involves identifying the correct variables and equations. For the baseball question, the mass is given, but the acceleration must be calculated using kinematic equations, specifically v_f^2 = v_0^2 + 2ad, where initial and final velocities and distance are known. In the race car scenario, the driver experiences g-forces that can be calculated by determining the acceleration from the distance and time, and then using F=ma to find the force exerted on the tires. It's crucial to differentiate between mass times velocity and mass times acceleration when solving these problems. Mastering these concepts will enhance problem-solving skills in physics.
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Hey, i been trying to ask all my friends and trying to read the book over and over. I am having problems with physics, its really hard! I have some questions that I am stuck at. I got the basics that F=ma but can someone help me get which equations to use for these questions? Thank you, i have the answers to the questions but i would like to know how to do them thank you again

a 0.140 kg baseball travels at 35 m/s that strikes the catchers mitt that brings the ball to a stop. It recoils backward at 11.0cm. What is the average force applied by the ball on the glove. I used the basic law and found force of the baseball is 4.9N now where do i input the 11cm?

a race car can finish a 402 track in 6.40seconds from rest, how many g's does the driev feel? if combined with mass of the driver and race car is 485kg what horizontal force must the road exert on the tires. I am really stuck on the how many g's does he feel and what force is exert on the tires.

i don't need the answers, just need help on how do i go about analyizing which equations to use for questions. THANK YOU!
 
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For the first question: remember that f=ma. You tried to find a force by multiplying .14kg by 35m/s, which is mass times velocity, not mass times acceleration.

To do f=ma you need to know the mass and the acceleration the ball undergoes. You already know the mass because it's explicity given as .14kg. The acceleration is the tricky part. The ball is traveling toward the mitt at 35 m/s and then, over the course of 11cm (.11m) it is brought to 0 m/s. So what kinematic equation do you know that will give you the acceleration if you know 1) initial velocity, 2) final velocity, and 3) distance moved ?
 
a=v(initial)-v(final) / distance?
 
I'd use v_{f}^2 = v_{0}^2 + 2ad
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...

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