Question

Discuss the work done by a pitcher throwing a baseball. What is the approximate distance through which the force acts as the ball is thrown?

Short answer

The work done by a pitcher throwing a baseball is the product of the force exerted on the ball and the distance the hand travels while throwing the ball. Also, the approximate distance through which the force acts as the ball is thrown is the distance pitcher’s hand travels while throwing the ball.

Step-by-step solution

Work done by a force

When an external force is used to accelerate a body, a certain amount of work is done due to the external force on the body.

The work done by an external force on a body is the product of the external force’s magnitude and the distance the body moves.

Work done by a pitcher throwing a baseball 

Given that a pitcher is throwing a baseball, a certain amount of work is done by the hand of the pitcher on the baseball. The value of the work done is calculated by multiplying the external force exerted on the baseball by the hand with the distance the hand travels while throwing the baseball.

So, the value of work donee by the pitcher throwing a baseball can be increased by either increasing the force exerted on the ball or the distance of travel of the pitcher’s hand.

Hence, the work done by a pitcher throwing a baseball is the product of the force exerted on the ball and the distance the hand travels while throwing the ball.

The distance through which the force acts 

When the ball is thrown, the approximate distance the force acts on it is described as the distance the pitcher’s hand travels while throwing the baseball.

Hence, the approximate distance through which the force acts as the ball is thrown is the distance pitcher’s hand travels while throwing the ball.