Solving the Kinetic Energy of a Baseball

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the kinetic energy of a baseball thrown by an outfielder, focusing on its state at the highest point of its trajectory. The problem involves concepts from kinematics and energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between kinetic energy and potential energy at the maximum height of the baseball's flight. Some explore the use of initial velocity components to determine kinetic energy, while others question the implications of conservation of energy in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to calculate the kinetic energy using different approaches, with some participants providing calculations and others questioning the assumptions made regarding energy conservation. There is no explicit consensus, but various interpretations and methods are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the effects of vertical and horizontal velocity components on kinetic energy at the peak of the baseball's trajectory. The problem is framed within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the depth of exploration.

blayman5
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Homework Statement


An outfielder throws a 2.01 kg baseball at a
speed of 108 m/s and an initial angle of 11.9◦.
What is the kinetic energy of the ball at the
highest point of its motion? Answer in units
of J.


Homework Equations


change KE=W
R=Vi^2/g (sin2O)
V^2=Vi^2+2ax
F=ma
W=Fx


The Attempt at a Solution


Found the range
Plugged it into galileo's formula to find the acceleration
found the force F=ma
multipled by range
Did I go about this correctly?
 
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blayman5 said:

Homework Statement


An outfielder throws a 2.01 kg baseball at a
speed of 108 m/s and an initial angle of 11.9◦.
What is the kinetic energy of the ball at the
highest point of its motion? Answer in units
of J.


Homework Equations


change KE=W
R=Vi^2/g (sin2O)
V^2=Vi^2+2ax
F=ma
W=Fx


The Attempt at a Solution


Found the range
Plugged it into galileo's formula to find the acceleration
found the force F=ma
multipled by range
Did I go about this correctly?

What they are basically asking for is what is the KE at max height.

When the ball's flight is maximum, then all the vertical velocity is stored in potential energy. That leaves only the horizontal component of velocity needed to figure its mV2/2
 
That means there would be no kinetic energy because of the conservation on energy?
 
vox=vocosO =105.679m/s
KE=mv^2/2
=11,223.9 J

Thanks Lowlypion
 

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