A baseball is traveling (+20 m/s) and is hit by a bat. It leaves the bat traveling (−30 m/s).

What is the change in the velocity?

Remember that direction is what makes velocity different than speed.

Responses

​−10 m/s​

​ negative 10 meters per second ​

​−20 m/s​

​ negative 20 meters per second ​

​−30 m/s​

​ negative 30 meters per second ​

​−50 m/s

1 answer

To find the change in velocity, we can use the formula:

\[ \Delta v = v_f - v_i \]

where:

  • \( v_f \) is the final velocity,
  • \( v_i \) is the initial velocity.

In this case:

  • The initial velocity (\( v_i \)) is \( +20 , \text{m/s} \)
  • The final velocity (\( v_f \)) is \( -30 , \text{m/s} \)

Now, we can calculate the change in velocity:

\[ \Delta v = (-30 , \text{m/s}) - (+20 , \text{m/s}) \]

This simplifies to:

\[ \Delta v = -30 , \text{m/s} - 20 , \text{m/s} = -50 , \text{m/s} \]

So the change in velocity is:

\[ \Delta v = -50 , \text{m/s} \]

The correct response is:

−50 m/s