Question

Why do baseball catchers wear mitts rather than just using their bare hands to catch pitched baseballs?

The impulse delivered to the catcher’s hand is reduced due to the presence of the mitt.
The force on the catcher’s hand is reduced because of the increased area provided by the mitt.
The baseball’s change in momentum is reduced due to the presence of the mitt.
The force on the catcher’s hand is reduced because the mitt increases the time of impact.
The force o the catcher’s hand is reduced because the mitt decreases the time of impact.

The answer is D. But why A is wrong?

Answer 1

Impulse J = F *t = ∆ momentum.

if a ball goes from momentum p to momentum zero, the impulse is the same (J = p), however long it takes for that to actually happen.

Answer 2

But would the momentum transfer to the mitt?

Answer 3

the F in F*t comes from the hand.

plus the "final momentum" of ball, player and mitt is zero. the momentum goes to ground as the earth is part of "the system"....

Answer 4

ok i get that. So you are saying that even if the momentum goes to the mitt, it will finally transfer to the hand, right?

Answer 5

yes, ad then all the way to the earth, or else momentum has just disappeared and that cannot happen....

Answer 6

ok…merci!

Answer 7

de rien!