A baseball is traveling (+30 m/s) and is hit by a bat. It leaves the bat traveling (-40 m/s). What is the change in the velocity? Remember that direction is what makes velocity different than speed.
Explanation:
Change in velocity can be calculated by subtracting initial velocity from final velocity. The expression for the same is as follows.
\(\Delta v = v_{f} - v_{i}\)
where, \(\Delta v\) = change in velocity
\(v_{f}\) = final velocity
\(v_{i}\) = initial velocity
It is given that initial velocity is +30 m/s and final velocity is -40 m/s. Thus, calculate the change in velocity as follows.
\(\Delta v = v_{f} - v_{i}\)
= -40 m/s - (+30 m/s)
= (-40 - 30) m/s
= -70 m/s
Therefore, the change in the velocity -70 m/s.