What determines distance a baseball will travel when hit?

[idek]

As you can see, this is my first post on the forum. I'll admit right now I'm here as an "asker" and not as an "answerer"...

I realize my topic was vague, and I realize there are many factors including trajectory, pitch speed, bat material, wind, altitude, ball rotation, the bat's "sweet spot", etc. But if all those factors were identical (or as identical as they possibly could be), and only bat speed and weight varied, could I just use bat momentum as an indicator of which hits will go the furthest?

Edit: Whoops! I meant to post this in the physics thread.

 

[Ich]

Hi idek, welcome to the wrong subforum.

But if all those factors were identical (or as identical as they possibly could be), and only bat speed and weight varied, could I just use bat momentum as an indicator of which hits will go the furthest?

I think the bat should be much heavier than the ball. In this case, only its speed is relevant, not its momentum.

 

[Redbelly98]

Moderator's note: thread moved to General Physics from General Astronomy.

what determines distance a baseball will travel when hit?

The simple intro physics explanation is: the baseball's initial velocity, the forces acting on it, and it's mass. Forces would include air resistance, the bat hitting it, and gravity.
I guess a more advanced explanation would mainly involve the forces from the bat during impact.

 

[MITWannaBe]

Moderator's note: thread moved to General Physics from General Astronomy.

The simple intro physics explanation is: the baseball's initial velocity, the forces acting on it, and it's mass. Forces would include air resistance, the bat hitting it, and gravity.
I guess a more advanced explanation would mainly involve the forces from the bat during impact.

I concur to this, in order to have a accurate result you must account all factors just not momentum. But since you stated that they are all identical F=ma (like Redbelly stated) is basically your bread and butter.

 

[PJC01]

I can say that while bat momentum can certainly play a role in how far a baseball will travel when hit, it is not the only determining factor. The trajectory and velocity of the pitch, along with the angle and speed at which the bat makes contact with the ball, also play a significant role in determining the distance the ball will travel.

Additionally, the materials and construction of the bat can affect the distance the ball will travel. A heavier bat may have more momentum, but a lighter bat may allow for a faster swing speed, resulting in a longer hit.

Other factors like wind, altitude, and the ball's rotation can also impact the distance the ball will travel. These variables can change the air resistance and lift on the ball, altering its trajectory and ultimately affecting its distance.

In summary, while bat momentum can be a useful indicator, there are many other factors that contribute to the distance a baseball will travel when hit. It is important to consider all of these variables when studying the physics of a baseball hit.