a baseball league considers changing the rules to use a ball with a much greater mass. what effect would this have on the flight of the ball

3 answers

If a baseball league decides to use a ball with a significantly greater mass, it would have several effects on the flight of the ball:

1. Increased Momentum: The ball with a greater mass would possess more momentum, which is the product of mass and velocity. As a result, it would be harder to slow down or change the ball's direction during flight.

2. Reduced Speed: Due to the heavier mass, the ball would have a reduced overall speed compared to a traditional baseball. It would take more force or energy to propel it at the same velocity as a lighter ball.

3. Increased Resistance: The greater mass of the ball would also increase its resistance to external forces such as air resistance. Consequently, the ball would experience greater drag, causing it to slow down more rapidly during flight.

4. Longer Flight Distance: Despite the reduced speed, the increased mass would ensure that the ball holds its momentum for a longer duration. Therefore, the ball might travel a longer overall distance than a lighter ball when hit with the same initial force.

5. Altered Trajectory: The heavier ball's flight trajectory may be affected as it would be less susceptible to deviations caused by air currents or wind. It might have a more stable and straighter flight path due to its increased mass.

6. Increased Impact Force: When the ball comes into contact with a bat or any object, its greater mass would result in a more forceful impact. This could potentially affect the safety of the players and may require adjustments to equipment or rules.

Overall, the flight of the ball would be noticeably different with a heavier mass, leading to changes in speed, distance, trajectory, and impact. These effects would need to be carefully considered and evaluated by the baseball league before implementing such a rule change.
so would the ball travel at a lower speed, given the same kinetic energy
Yes, if the ball has a significantly greater mass while maintaining the same kinetic energy, its speed would be lower compared to a lighter ball with the same kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is defined as (1/2) * mass * velocity^2. If the kinetic energy remains constant and the mass increases, the velocity of the ball must decrease to compensate. This means that a heavier ball would have a lower speed when compared to a lighter ball with the same kinetic energy.