What is the average force exerted by a shot-puter on a 6.1-kg shot if the shot is moved through a distance of 2.8 m and is released with a speed of 12 m/s?

Answer 1

It depends upon the angle at which the shot is launched. The applied force is not directed along the weight force (vertical) direction.

If we forget about gravity, the applied force times the distance is the work done launching the shot, and that equals the final kinetic energy.

F = (1/2)M V^2/X

That is probably the answer they are looking for.

The actual force is acually higher because the shot putter is also supporting the weight of the shot.