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hinzy
Nov 2, 2011, 11:45 AM
Scenario:

2 identical baseballs are hit with 2 different bats. Both balls come off the bat with the same speed, trajectory, ball spin... etc.

Is it possible for one ball to travel further than the other ball based on the differences of the bat?

Could momentum or force cause one ball to travel further with the same initial ball speed?

Or since ball speed and trajectory are equal, both balls will travel the same distance regardless of the differences in the bat?

ebaines
Nov 2, 2011, 02:08 PM
The distance a ball travels depends on its initial speed and angle of trajectory, and on certain factors that may affect air resistance (size and shape of the ball, surface roughness, and spin). So given the same ball starting under the same initial conditions of speed and trajectory and spin - it doesn't matter whether the ball is hit by a bat wooden bat, an aluminum bat, shot out of a cannon, or launched by sling shot - it should travel the same distance.