Question

In terms of momentum change, explain why it is best to "give" when catching a baseball. Provide other examples of situations in which you want “give”.

I'll give a medal (:

Answer 1

Momentum = mass x velocity

for a ball, the mass will be constant
so if it is travelling at a higher speed/velocity, its momentum would be high and when it hits stationary hands, the impact will be more and hurt the hands of the catcher

however, if the hands "give" i.e. move some distance after catching it, then this time interval helps decrease the velocity (resulting in decrease in momentum) to a level where the impact of the ball will not hurt the hands of the catcher.

if you face a situation where someone running at high speed is going to bang into you, it is better to hold out hands and run a few steps back i.e. "give" so that the impact is very less and u r not hurt