Question

Sketch the free-body diagram of a baseball (a) at the moment it is hit by the bat, and again (b) after it has left the bat and is flying toward the outfield. Ignore air resistance.

Short answer

The obtained free body diagrams for parts (a) and (b) are as follows:

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Draw the free body diagram at the moment the baseball is hit by the bat

In order to draw the free body diagram of the baseball, consider the number of forces exerting on it. For example, the weight of the ball, the force exerted by the bat while hitting, and many others.

The free body diagram of the baseball is as follows:

When the player with the bat hits the baseball, only two forces are exerted on the baseball. The first one is its weight, and the other is the bat's force on the baseball.

Step 2. Draw the free body diagram after the ball has left the bat

The free body diagram of the baseball is as follows:

Ignoring the air resistance when the player hits the baseball and flies toward the outfield, the only force exerted on the ball is its weight. Since the ball is not in contact with the bat, no other force will act on the bat.