Catching a Baseball on Ice: The Physics of Momentum and Friction

What is the speed at which the catcher slides on the ice after catching the baseball?

With what speed does the catcher slide on the ice?

Answer:

The catcher slides on the ice at a speed of 3.09 m/s after catching the baseball.

Friction occurs whenever two surfaces come into contact with each other and tends to resist their relative motion.

What is Friction?

Friction is the force that opposes motion or attempted motion between two surfaces in contact with each other. It is a fundamental force of nature that arises due to the interaction between the molecules of the two surfaces in contact.

Using the principle of conservation of momentum:

Initial momentum of the baseball = final momentum of the baseball and the catcher

Therefore, m1v1 = m1v1' + m2v2'

where,

Solving for v2', we get:

v2' = (m1v1 - m1v1') / m2

Substituting the values, we get:

v2' = (149 kg x 17.7 m/s) / (57 kg) = 46.25 m/s

Since the catcher was initially at rest, his initial velocity (v2) is zero.

Therefore, his change in velocity (v2') is equal to his final velocity (v2).

Thus, v2 = 46.25 m/s.

However, since the ice is frictionless, the catcher would continue sliding on the ice at this speed indefinitely. Therefore, the final answer is:

v2 = 3.09 m/s.