A cricketer (mass = 85 kg) leaps up to catch a ball (mass = 0.16 kg) travelling to the boundary at 27 m/s. Assuming the catch is successful what is the horizontal momentum of the player and ball immediately after the catch is taken, before the player lands on the ground?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The momentum of the player and ball (i.e. the system) is the same after the catch as it was before it was taken. The momentum of the player before impact was zero because his horizontal velocity was zero, and the momentum of the ball before impact was 0.16 × 27 = 4.32 kg·m/s. Thus, this is momentum of the system after impact as well.

A Cricketer (Mass = 85 Kg) Leaps Up to Catch