Question

How does Newton’s third law apply to baseball?

Answer 1

As the first step, you could recall how the game of baseball is played. Then, you could think of the statement of Newton’s third law. After that, you could relate the various moments in the game in which we see the application of the third law. Also, mention the conditions at which these effects are noticed.

Complete answer:
In the question, we are asked how we could apply Newton’s third law to the case of baseball. Before answering the question, let us recall what Newton’s third law exactly was. Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there always exists a reaction that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

You may be familiar with the game of baseball. When the baseball is thrown by the pitcher to the batsman, the bat is moved back a little due to the impact. The batsman may or may not notice this slight effect unless he is lightly holding the bat. Mostly the bat is held too firmly that this effect goes unnoticed. We could say this movement of the bat causes the ball to move forward.

Similarly, for the case of a player who is trying to catch the baseball, when contact between the baseball and the glove of the player happens, the glove pushes the ball forward and as a result of this glove moves backward. So, if the players fail to close their mittens around the ball while catching, the ball would simply bounce off his hands.

So, these are the applications of Newton’s third law in baseball.

Note:
Other than the third law, the first law as well as the second law of Newton is also applicable for the case of baseball. First law is seen when the ball remains at rest before being pitched by the pitcher. Second law can be seen in the force generated at the moment the bat is being hit by the ball.