A cricketer draws his hands back while catching a fast ball. The physical reason is that:
ADoing so reduces the kinetic energy of the ball
BDoing so increases the time over which momentum changes
CDoing so reverses the momentum of the ball
DDoing so reduces the mass of the ball
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Doing so increases the time over which momentum changes
1. The change in momentum Δp is fixed (depends on ball mass + speed, not on the catch).
2. From F·Δt = Δp, a larger Δt means a smaller average force F.
3. By drawing the hands back, the cricketer increases Δt, so the force on the hands is smaller.
4. The novice keeps hands rigid (small Δt) and so feels a much larger impulsive force — and it hurts.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Physics Ch 4 "Laws of Motion", §4.5 (cricket-catch discussion), p. 54_
Related questions
A stone is whirled on a string. The inward force keeping it on its circle is the centripetA ring or sphere rolling without slipping touches the ground at just one point at a time. Experiments show that the coefficient for a sliding object compares with the one for a staThe constant of proportionality linking maximum static friction to the normal force is theThe friction acting before an object begins to slide is distinguished from the friction acA crate is pushed but does not budge. The surface force that cancels the push is called:A book lies still on a table. Balancing its weight is an upward push from the table calledTwo railway wagons collide and couple together. The standard application of conservation o