A 0.2-kilogram softball is thrown toward a catcher’s mitt. The ball is accelerating at a rate of 8 meters per second squared. With what force will the ball hit the catcher’s mitt?

Question

1. 8.N
2. 40N
3. 7.8 N
4. 1.6 N

Answer 1

To determine the force with which the softball will hit the catcher's mitt, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force \( F \) is equal to mass \( m \) multiplied by acceleration \( a \):

\[ F = m \cdot a \]

Given:

• Mass of the softball, \( m = 0.2 \) kg
• Acceleration of the softball, \( a = 8 \) m/s²

Now, substituting the values into the equation:

\[ F = 0.2 , \text{kg} \cdot 8 , \text{m/s}^2 = 1.6 , \text{N} \]

Thus, the force with which the ball will hit the catcher's mitt is 1.6 N.

The correct answer is: 4. 1.6 N