A pitcher throws a curveball that reaches the catcher in 0.55 s. The ball curves because it is spinning at an average angular velocity of 335 rev/min (assumed constant) on its way to the catcher's mitt. What is the angular displacement of the baseball (in radians) as it travels from the pitcher to the catcher?

Question

This depends upon the mass of the baseball, the orientation of ths spin axis ands the distance to home plate. Was any of this information provided? You will need to use the equation for the Magnus effect, and a bit of geometry and ballistics

I think this question is asking for the angular displacement of the ball spinning about its axis, not the angle the ball travels in the curve. Teh problem is not clear.

However, the angular displacement the ball travels about its center is given by angular velocity * time.

change angular veloctiy to rad/sec

If what they are asking for is just how much the baseball ROTATES, and not how much the curve ball deviates from a straight line, then just multiply the spin rate by the time of flight. That seems like a trivial interpretation however

I not really sure how to tackle the question but I know it is deals with Rotational Motion and Angular Displacement and Angular Velocity and Angular Acceleration.

I know average angular vel =
angular displacement /elapsed time

I know average angular acc =
change in angular velocity/elapsed time

I know that 2PI rad corresponds to 360 degrees.

I am unsure how to begin working the problem.



the angular displacement the ball travels about its center is given by angular velocity * time.

change angular veloctiy in rpm to rad/sec before calculating.