A baseball player is sliding into second base. Identify the forces on the baseball player. Check all that apply.
Thrust
Kinetic friction
Static friction
Tension
Weight
Normal force
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct forces acting on the baseball player sliding into second base are:
- Kinetic friction
- Weight
- Normal force
Explanation:
- Kinetic Friction: When the baseball player is sliding into second base, they are in motion relative to the surface. Friction always opposes the relative motion between two surfaces. Since the player is sliding, the friction between their body and the ground is kinetic friction. This friction slows the player down as they move along the base path.
- Weight: The weight of the baseball player is the force due to gravity acting on their mass. It is directed vertically downward toward the center of the Earth. The weight is given by ( W = mg ), where ( m ) is the player’s mass and ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity.
- Normal Force: The normal force is the force exerted by the ground that supports the player and prevents them from falling through the surface. It acts perpendicular (normal) to the surface of contact, which in this case is the ground. The normal force is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the weight of the player, assuming no vertical acceleration.
Forces Not Present:
- Thrust: Thrust is the force typically generated by engines or propulsion systems (e.g., jet engines), and does not apply in this scenario because the player is not being propelled by an external force like that.
- Static Friction: Static friction occurs when there is no relative motion between two surfaces. Since the player is sliding, static friction is not at play; only kinetic friction is relevant.
- Tension: Tension is the force transmitted through a string, rope, or similar object under tension. The player does not seem to be connected to anything that could create tension, so this force does not apply.
In summary, while the baseball player is sliding, the forces acting on them are kinetic friction (opposing motion), weight (due to gravity), and the normal force (the support force from the ground).