Question

A boy throws a cricket ball from the boundary to the wicket keeper. If the frictional force due to air ($f_a$) cannot be ignored, the forces acting on the ball at the position X are represented by

• A. Option A
• B. Option B
• C. Option C
• D. Option D

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Option B

Answer 2

At position X, the forces acting on the cricket ball are:

1. Gravitational Force ($\vec{W}$): This force acts vertically downwards.
2. Air Frictional Force ($\vec{f}_a$): This force opposes the instantaneous velocity ($\vec{v}$) of the ball.

The diagram shows the trajectory of the ball and indicates the velocity vector at position X pointing upwards and to the right. Therefore, the air frictional force must act in the direction opposite to this velocity, i.e., downwards and to the left. A correct representation of the forces will show a vector pointing vertically downwards (for gravity) and a vector pointing from X in the direction opposite to the velocity vector (for air friction).