Chapter 5, Problem 31A

A batted baseball follows a parabolic path on a day when the sun is directly overhead. How does the speed of the ball’s shadow across the field compare with the ball’s horizontal component of velocity?

To determine

To compare: The speed of ball’s shadow across the field with the horizontal component of velocity of ball.

Answer to Problem 31A

Both the velocities will be same.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

If an object follows a parabolic path, then at each instant there will be two components of velocity, horizontal component and vertical component.

Shadow is just the reflection of whatever is happening. A ball follows a parabolic path. Movement of ball shadow does not effect by friction and also, there will be no loss. So, shadow of the ball will moves along the ball, when sun is overhead as it will notconsider any other factor.

Conclusion:

Both the velocities will besamebecause shadow will move along with the ball .