a picture throws a baseball to the catcher. The ball path begins as a straight line then it’s pitch ground which two factors are acting on the baseball.

1 answer

When a baseball is thrown towards a catcher, its path can be influenced by several factors. In the scenario you described, where the ball's path begins as a straight line and then curves downward toward the ground, the two primary factors acting on the baseball are:

  1. Gravity: This is the force that pulls the baseball downward toward the Earth. Gravity affects the ball throughout its entire trajectory, causing it to drop as it travels through the air.

  2. Air Resistance (Drag): As the baseball moves through the air, it experiences air resistance, which acts in the opposite direction of its motion. This force can slightly alter the ball's path, especially at higher speeds or depending on its spin. However, in the case of a straightforward throw without significant spin or curve, this factor may be less influential compared to gravity.

So, to summarize, the two primary factors are gravity and air resistance.