Question

a baseball is traveling $(+20\\ m/s)$ and is hit by a bat. it leaves the bat traveling $(-30\\ m/s)$. what is the change in the velocity? remember that direction is what makes velocity different than speed. 50 m/s 30 m/s 20 m/s 10 m/s

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for change in velocity

The change in velocity ($\Delta v$) is given by the final velocity ($v_f$) minus the initial velocity ($v_i$), i.e., $\Delta v = v_f - v_i$.

Step2: Identify initial and final velocities

Here, the initial velocity $v_i = +20\ \text{m/s}$ and the final velocity $v_f = -30\ \text{m/s}$.

Step3: Calculate the change in velocity

Substitute the values into the formula: $\Delta v = (-30) - (20) = -30 - 20 = -50\ \text{m/s}$. The magnitude of the change in velocity is $50\ \text{m/s}$ (since we are asked about the change in velocity, and direction is considered, but the magnitude of the change here is 50 m/s).

Answer:

50 m/s (corresponding to the first option: 50 m/s)