Answer:
Force applied to stop the softball: - 8 N
See if they are asking for the absolute value of this, which will be 8 N.
Explanation:
In order to apply the formula F = m * a, we need to find the acceleration that is imparted on the ball to change its velocity from 32 m/s to zero m/s.
We use the formula for acceleration: [tex]a=\frac{v_f-v_i}{t}[/tex]
where the initial velocity [tex]v_i[/tex] is 32 m/s, the final velocity [tex]v_f[/tex] is 0 m/s, and the time (t) it took to make this change is: 0.8 seconds:
[tex]a=\frac{v_f-v_i}{t}\\a=\frac{0-32}{0.8}\\a=-40 \, \frac{m}{s^2}[/tex]
where the answer comes on [tex]\frac{m}{s^2}[/tex] given the units for the velocities and time used.
Then, knowing the mass of the softball, we can calculate the force applied:
[tex]F=m*a=0.2\,kg*(-40\, \frac{m}{s^2} =-8N[/tex]
So the absolute value of this force (force of impact) is 8 Newtons.
