A baseball is struck by a batter at an angle such that it reaches its maximum height at the location of the pitcher – and just grazes the top of the pitcher’s head (at an elevation of 1.50 m above the launch point of the baseball). The pitcher is a horizontal distance of 20.0 m from the point at which the ball was struck. What was the launch speed for the baseball?
A) 37 m/s
B) 36 m/s
C) 51 m/s
D) 27 m/s

Question

A baseball is struck by a batter at an angle such that it reaches its maximum height at the location of the pitcher – and just grazes the top of the pitcher’s head (at an elevation of 1.50 m above the launch point of the baseball).  The pitcher is a horizontal distance of 20.0 m from the point at which the ball was struck.  What was the launch speed for the baseball?
A) 37 m/s 
B) 36 m/s 
C) 51 m/s 
D) 27 m/s

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The maximum height of the projectile is given as 1.50 m. Using the kinematic equations and the fact that the horizontal distance to the maximum height is 20.0 m, we can calculate the launch speed. The correct calculation leads to a launch speed of approximately 37 m/s.

A Baseball Is Struck by a Batter at an Angle