Question

In a cricket match a fielder has to catch a fast moving ball by moving his hand along with
the ball. Why?
(a) In order to reduce the kinetic energy of the ball
(b) In order to reduce the impact force on the hand by increasing the time for momentum
change.
(c) In order to exhibit the Law of Inertia
(d) In order to get better grip on the ball.

Answer 1

Option b is correct

Explanation

A cricketer lowers his hands while catching a ball because this increases the time of catch which in turn decreases the momentum since force = (change in momentum) / (time). Therefore he needs to apply a small force to stop the ball and also the ball exerts a small force on his hands which prevents him from injury.

While catching a fast moving cricket ball , a fielder in the ground gradually pulls his hand backwards with the moving ball, In doing so, the fielder increases the time during which the high velocity of the moving ball descrease to zero. thus, the accleration of the ball is descreased and therefore the impact of catching the fast moving ball is also reduced.If the ball stopped suddenly then it's high velocity is decreases to zero in a very short interval of time. thus, the rate of change of momentum of the ball will be large,therefore a large force would have to be applied for holding the catch that may hurt the palm of the fielder.