A tennis player swings and hit the ball away. How does the force of the tennis racket affect the motion of the ball?

Question

1. it does not change the speed or the direction of the ball
2. it changes both the direction and the speed of the ball
3. it changes speed of the ball but not the direction
4. it changes the direction of the ball but not the speed

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

2. it changes both the direction and the speed of the ball.

When the tennis player hits the ball, the force exerted by the racket alters both the ball's speed (accelerating it) and its direction (changing the trajectory).