The Power of a Baseball Player

What happens when a baseball is struck by a bat?

A. The baseball exerts a greater force on the bat than the bat exerts on the baseball.
B. The bat exerts a greater force on the baseball than the baseball exerts on the bat.
C. The force that the baseball exerts on the bat and the force that the bat exerts on the baseball are the same magnitude.

Answer:

The correct option is B. In the scenario of hitting a baseball with a bat, the bat exerts a greater force on the baseball than the baseball exerts on the bat.

When a baseball is struck by a bat, the bat applies a force to the baseball in the direction of the hit. This force causes the baseball to accelerate and move away from the bat. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

So, while the bat exerts a force on the baseball, the baseball also exerts a force on the bat in the opposite direction. However, the magnitude of the force exerted by the bat on the baseball is greater than the force exerted by the baseball on the bat. This is because the bat is usually much heavier and has more mass compared to the baseball.

The force exerted by an object is directly proportional to its mass and the acceleration it produces. Since the bat has more mass, it can generate a greater force and accelerate the baseball more effectively. In contrast, the baseball has less mass and therefore exerts a smaller force on the bat.

In summary, the scenario in which the bat exerts a greater force on the baseball than the baseball exerts on the bat is true. This is due to the difference in mass between the bat and the baseball.