Question

A fastball pitcher can throw a baseball at a speed of 40 m/s (90 mi/h). (a) Assuming the pitcher can release the ball 16.7 m from home plate so the ball is moving horizontally, how long does it take the ball to reach home plate? (b) How far does the ball drop between the pitcher’s hand and home plate?

Answer 1

Answer:

a) 0.4175 seconds

b) 0.854 m

Explanation:

t = Time taken

u = Initial velocity = 40 m/s in x direction

v = Final velocity

s = Displacement = 16.7 m

a = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s²

a) Time = Distance / Speed

$\text{Time}=\frac{16.7}{40}=0.4175\ s$

Time taken by the ball to reach home plate is 0.4175 seconds

b)  Here velocity will by taken in y direction will be 0

$s=ut+\frac{1}{2}at^2\\\Rightarrow s=0\times 0.4175+\frac{1}{2}\times 9.81\times 0.4175^2\\\Rightarrow s=0.854\ m$

The ball drops by 0.854 m between the pitcher’s hand and home plate.