Question

A batsman hits a cricket ball which then rolls on a level ground. After covering a short distance, the ball comes to rest. The ball slows to a stop because

• A. the batsman did not hit the ball hard enough
• B. velocity is proportional to the force exerted on the ball
• C. there is a force on the ball opposing the motion
• D. there is no unbalanced force on the ball, so the ball would want to come to rest

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question pertains to the fundamental concepts of motion and forces in physics. Specifically, it explores why a cricket ball comes to rest after being hit. Let's analyze this scenario step by step to understand the underlying physics and identify the correct answer.

Concept Explanation: 

When a batsman hits a cricket ball, the ball moves due to the applied force of the bat. According to Newton's First Law of Motion, an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force.

As the ball rolls on the level ground, there are forces acting upon it:

• Gravitational Force: Acts downwards towards the center of the earth.
• Normal Force: Acts perpendicular to the surface, balancing the gravitational force (not contributing to stopping the ball).
• Frictional Force: Acts opposite to the motion of the ball, opposing its movement.
• Air Resistance: Acts in the direction opposite to the motion, though less significant than ground friction for a rolling ball.

Here, the key force responsible for the ball stopping is the frictional force. This force acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the ball and gradually reduces its velocity until it comes to rest.

Analyzing the Options:

• Option 1: "the batsman did not hit the ball hard enough" - This is incorrect. The force applied may be enough to move the ball, but it is the opposing forces (like friction) that eventually stop it.
• Option 2: "velocity is proportional to the force exerted on the ball" - Incorrect because, while initial velocity results from the force, the stopping of the ball involves opposing forces (not a direct velocity-force relationship as implied without context).
• Option 3: "there is a force on the ball opposing the motion" - Correct. The frictional force opposes the motion and brings the ball to rest.
• Option 4: "there is no unbalanced force on the ball, so the ball would want to come to rest" - Incorrect because the existence of an unbalanced force (friction) indeed stops the ball.

Thus, the correct answer is: there is a force on the ball opposing the motion.