Answer to Question #2260 in Mechanics | Relativity for Ryan Rigby

Question

In baseball, when a pitcher throws a ball, at what point does it reach it's fastest speed? Is it the instant it leaves his hand? Or is it some other point?

Answer 1

System of equations that describe the movement of ball:
x = V_0x t = V₀ cosα*t
y = V_0y t-g t²/2 = V₀ sinα*t - g t²/2

V_x = V_0x = V₀ cosα
V_y = V_0y - gt = V₀ sinα - gt

V = √(V_x² + V_y² )
As we see V_y decrease with time. So the magnitude of velocity also decrease. Velocity is maximum at t=0 and equals V₀.