A batter hits a foul ball. The 0.140-kg baseball that was approaching him at 40.0 m/s leaves the bat at 30.0 m/s in a direction perpendicular to the line between the batter and the pitcher. What is the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the baseball?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Impulse is the change in momentum. The initial momentum is 0.140 kg * 40.0 m/s = 5.6 kg*m/s. The final momentum is 0.140 kg * 30.0 m/s = 4.2 kg*m/s. Since the directions are perpendicular, use the Pythagorean theorem: √(5.6² + 4.2²) = 7.00 Ns.

A Batter Hits a Foul Ball