Baseball is at its greatest point in the season as the World Series will start in just a few days. Baseball among other sports is a very popular attraction; power hitters, quick sprinters, pitches so fast they are barely caught by the eye. Physics plays a major role in great baseball...though maybe not understood by all, it controls the game. Lets focus on hitting for this case.
The major aspects of hitting are presented here with arrows; the speed of the bat, the speed of the ball, the total speed after collision.
If this was given as an open ended exam question what qualitative and quantitative information could you add about the trajectory of the ball?
From this we know that the total speed of the ball is V(hit) = V(bat) + V(ball), so for example using 100 km/hr for both they would have a V(hit)= 200 km/hr.
ReplyDeleteThe node of the bat also determines how the ball will be hit. If you hit the node, middle of the bat, you will get a solid hit, but if you hit the antinode, above/below the node, you will get an off speed hit, normally a ground ball.
Steven, you are correct however once the ball and bat collide there is a coef. of restitution that must be accounted for, 0.55 x 200km/hr= 110km/hr. So the outgoing ball will be traveling 210km/hr.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you can use Velocity= Distance/Time a simple mechanics equation to find other properties of the hit. With the node, when the antinode is hit is creates a vibration which defers all of the energy being transfered. If you hit the top antinode the handle tips forward and the opposite if you hit the bottom antinode.
The correct mechanics equation to use is Velocity(y)=velocity x time - 1/2 acceleration x time ^2
ReplyDeleteWith this equation theoretically you would maximze your hit at a 45 degree angle, but it is also found that a 35 degree angle will also maximize.