A student is the pitcher on a baseball team. They pitch the ball toward home plate. It begins in a straight line and then curves toward the ground. What forces are acting on the ball?
Responses
inertia and nuclear
inertia and nuclear
magnetism and inertia
magnetism and inertia
friction and gravity
friction and gravity
friction and electricity
1 answer
The forces acting on the ball are primarily gravity and friction. Gravity is responsible for pulling the ball downward, causing it to curve towards the ground. Friction between the ball and the air also plays a role in slowing down the ball's forward motion and affecting its trajectory. Inertia, while not a force itself, can also be considered as a factor since the ball's initial motion will tend to keep it moving in a straight line before the other forces come into play. The forces of magnetism and electricity are not relevant in this scenario.