Question

A cricketer draws his hands backwards to catch the ball, because
(A) By increasing the time in which he stops the ball, he reduces the force on his hands
(B) By increasing the distance, he allows the ball to travel a greater distance for more runs
(C) It is an art to catch the ball
(D) It is a rule in cricket

Answer 1

Here we have to analyse the options with distance, force and time to get the correct answer. Also we have to apply the concept of average force here.

Complete step by step answer:
The force exerted by a body that moves for a definite amount of time at a definite velocity (rate of speed) is the average force. The mass of the body multiplied by the average velocity for a given amount of time is thus equal to average force. The force can also be defined as the frequency of momentum shift for a given period of time $t$. The linear momentum of a velocity moving object of mass $m$ is defined as the product of mass and velocity.
A force must be exerted in order to modify the momentum of an object. The time rate of an object’s momentum shift is equal to the net force of an object to act on it.
When a single, continuous force acts on an object, there is an impulse transmitted to the object. Here we need to find out why a cricketer draws his hands backwards to catch the ball.
Since average force is given by change in momentum/time taken. In this case the momentum shift is the momentum is the momentum of the ball and thus continuous regardless of the way he catches the ball. But if he raises the time, he decreases the average force.
Hence, option A is correct.

Note: Average force has different applications. One average force is given by the mass of the body multiplied by the average velocity for a given amount of time and the other is given by the frequency of momentum shift for a given period of time. We should not confuse between the two.