A softball pitchers throws an underhand pitch in \"windmill\" style, by whirling
ID: 1287380 • Letter: A
Question
A softball pitchers throws an underhand pitch in "windmill" style, by whirling her arm through a complete circle and releasing the ball at the bottom of the circle. The mass of the ball is 185 g, the length of the pitcher's arm (from the shoulder through the center of the ball) is 61.1 cm, and the ball is released at a linear speed of 33.4 m/s. Picture the axis of rotation as passing through the pitcher's shoulders. Ignore air resistance. DRAWINGS ARE USEFUL!
a) Find the force (assuming it to be constant) that must be applied in the tangential direction, to get the ball up to release speed in one revolution of the arm.
b) Find the force necessary to generate the centripetal acceleration of the ball, at the point immediately before release.
c) Compare the two forces. Which one is larger? Does their ratio tell you anything of significance? ANSWER IN DETAIL.
Explanation / Answer
a)
F*S = 0.5*M*V^2
F*2*pi*R = 0.5*M*V^2
Fa = (0.5*0.185*33.4*33.4)/(2*3.14*0.611) = 26.89 N
b) Fc = mv^2/R = (0.185*33.4*33.4)/0.611 = 337.78 N
c) ratio = 12.56
Fb > Fa
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.