A baseball or a bowling ball are thrown, both have the same kinetic energy. Which is safer to a catch?

Question

Pretend you have the option of catching one of the two... which would you catch based physic related principles?

Answer 1

I can answer best in laymans terms. Kinetic energy is not speed. So for visual sake and approaching speed, if want to catch it, the bowling ball has the edge. The smaller mass of the baseball has to account for equivalent kinetic energy by increasing its velocity. Reducing reaction time and localizing the pain factor to even the gloved hand. The impact of the baseball on a surface area with nerve endings will get your attention. The slower speed of the bowling ball and greater weight distribution to the surface will provide a push. The bowling ball is safer!

Answer 2

Remember safer to catch means, which one will take less force to deaccelerate to zero velocity. If the force is too high it will shatter your hand. Remember speed doesn't kill you, deacceleration kills you.

Since KE = 1/2 mv^2

And F = ma = m (dv/dt)

You gotta assume the bowling ball has more mass. But the baseball is going faster.

Since the bowling ball is about 6 kg and a baseball is .15 kg it comes down to how fast ( or slow ) you can deaccelerate the ball. Your deacceleration time is around 1/10th of a second.

Answer 3

The bowling ball with the same amount of kinetic energy will be moving alot slower then the baseball.

Answer 4

I would catch the baseball because it has less mass, meaning it also has less inertia than a bowling ball and would therefore be easier to control.

Answer 5

a bowling ball

Answer 6

A bowling ball, it's far more dense, and wouldn't cause as much damage.

Answer 7

bowling ball - it have bigger round surface!
related to the physic!

Answer 8

what am i catching this with?? a mitt or with my bare hands??

that is the question!!

Answer 9

which ever is going slower.