A tennis player swings and hits 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 the 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 strikes the ball with the racket, the force applied alters the ball's speed by accelerating it, and it also affects its trajectory, changing its direction as it leaves the racket.