A softball having a mass of 0.29kg is pitched at 97km/h . By the time it reaches the plate, it may have slowed by 8.0%.

Neglecting gravity, estimate the magnitude of the average force of air resistance during a pitch, if the distance between the plate and the pitcher is about 13m .

2 answers

.92 * 97 = 89.24

97* 1000/3600 = 26.94 m/s
89.24 *1000/3600 = 24.79 m/s

a = change in velocity/change in time
how long to reach plate
Vaverage = (26.94+24.79)/2 = 25.87 m/s
so time to plate = 13/25.87 = .503 s

so a = (24.79-26.94)/.503 = 4.27m/s^2

F = m a = .29(4.27) =1.24 N
Thanks for showing me the process step by step!