Forces Acting on a Ball: Identifying the Unknowns

[kristibella]

Identify the forces on the ball.

Static Friction
Weight
Normal Force
Kinetic Friction
Tension
Drag

I'm sure that there is weight and normal force and that there is not tension. I'm also fairly sure that there is no static friction but I am not sure about drag and kinetic friction. I know that this is a pretty easy question but I can not seem to get the hang of it.

 

[JoAuSc]

I think you need a better understanding of the terms. Static friction is when two solid objects try to slide across each other but do not move.

Weight is the Earth pulling down on stuff.

Normal force is when two solid objects are in contact with each other. It stops objects from going through each other and it's why I can't walk through walls except through a doorway.

Kinetic friction is when two solid objects slide across each other. One (or both) of the objects moves.

Tension is when something is being pulled by a rope, a thread, or for that matter any solid object that touches another object but pulls rather than pushes. Tension is between two solid objects (a rope, for example, is a solid).

Drag is when an object pushes against a liquid or a gas.


So, if the tennis ball, which is a solid, is only touching the air, which is a gas, then is there a normal force between the two?

 

[thomate1]

I can confirm that the forces acting on the ball are weight, normal force, kinetic friction, and drag. Weight is the force of gravity acting on the ball due to its mass. Normal force is the force exerted by the surface on which the ball is resting, perpendicular to the surface. Kinetic friction is the force that opposes the motion of the ball as it slides or rolls on a surface. Drag is the force exerted by the air or fluid on the ball as it moves through it.

It is correct that there is no tension acting on the ball in this scenario, as tension is a force that occurs in objects that are being pulled or stretched. The presence or absence of static friction and its magnitude depends on the surface and the motion of the ball. It is possible that there is no static friction if the ball is at rest, but it may come into play if the ball is in motion.

In order to accurately identify the forces acting on the ball, it is important to consider the motion and environment in which the ball is in. The presence and magnitude of each force may vary depending on these factors.

 

[baba89]

I would like to clarify and expand on the response given. The forces acting on a ball can be classified into two categories: contact forces and non-contact forces. Contact forces are those that require physical contact between objects, while non-contact forces act on objects without physical contact.

The contact forces acting on a ball include weight, normal force, static friction, and kinetic friction. Weight is the force of gravity acting on the ball, pulling it towards the center of the Earth. Normal force is the force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it, perpendicular to the surface. Static friction is the force that prevents the ball from moving when there is no external force acting on it. Kinetic friction, on the other hand, is the force that opposes the motion of the ball when it is already in motion.

Non-contact forces acting on a ball include tension and drag. Tension is the force exerted by a string or rope when it is pulled tight. In the case of a ball, tension may be present if the ball is attached to a string or rope. Drag is the force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid, such as air or water. In the case of a ball, drag may be present if the ball is moving through air or water.

It is important to note that the presence or absence of these forces may vary depending on the specific situation and environment in which the ball is placed. Additionally, the magnitude and direction of these forces can also change depending on factors such as the mass and velocity of the ball, the surface it is in contact with, and the surrounding environment.

In conclusion, the forces acting on a ball include weight, normal force, static friction, kinetic friction, tension, and drag. As a scientist, it is important to consider all these forces and their effects in order to fully understand the motion and behavior of the ball.