The Consequences of Trying to Hit a Baseball Pitched at 90% the Speed of Light
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a game of strategy and skill, and requires players to have a great deal of hand-eye coordination. One of the most important aspects of the game is the pitcher, who has to throw the ball with enough velocity and accuracy to make it difficult for the batter to hit. But what would happen if someone tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light? Let’s explore this interesting question.
What is the Speed of Light?
Light travels at a constant speed of 299,792,458 meters per second, which is equivalent to 186,282 miles per hour. This is commonly referred to as the speed of light and is considered to be the fastest speed possible in the universe.
How Fast Would a Baseball Pitched at 90% the Speed of Light Travel?
If a baseball was pitched at 90% the speed of light, it would travel at 269,793,212.2 meters per second, or 167,204.8 miles per hour. To put this into perspective, the fastest recorded pitch in Major League Baseball was 105 mph, which is much slower than the speed of light.
What Would Happen if You Tried to Hit a Baseball Pitched at 90% the Speed of Light?
If someone were to try and hit a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light, the consequences would be disastrous. The ball would travel so quickly that it would be impossible for the batter to react in time. Even if the batter could react in time, it is unlikely that they would be able to make contact as the ball would be traveling too quickly.
The Physics of Hitting a Baseball Pitched at 90% the Speed of Light
When a baseball is hit, it experiences a phenomenon called the Magnus effect, which is caused by the pressure of the air on the spinning ball. This pressure causes the ball to move in a curved path. However, if a ball is traveling at the speed of light, it would be impossible for the Magnus effect to take place, as the ball would be traveling too quickly for the pressure of the air to have an effect.
What Would Happen if You Were to Make Contact?
If, by some miracle, the batter were able to make contact with the ball, the consequences could be catastrophic. The sheer force of the impact would be enough to cause serious injury, and the ball would likely burst into pieces upon contact.
The Effects on the Bat
The bat would also be severely damaged by the impact. The bat would be unable to absorb the energy of the impact, and would likely be shattered into pieces.
The Effects on the Field
The field would also suffer from the impact. The ball would create a shockwave that would be powerful enough to cause serious damage to the field. The shockwave would be strong enough to cause severe structural damage to the playing field, and could even cause a crater to form in the ground.
The Effects on the Surrounding Area
The shockwave of the impact would be powerful enough to cause damage to the surrounding area. The force of the shockwave would be powerful enough to shatter windows and cause other structural damage. The shockwave could also cause seismic activity in the area, which could cause further damage.
Conclusion
It is safe to say that attempting to hit a baseball pitched at 90% the speed of light would be a very bad idea. The consequences would be disastrous and could have a serious impact on the surrounding area. Therefore, it is best to stick to the more traditional forms of baseball and avoid attempting to hit a ball that is traveling at the speed of light.
References
- Freedman, R. (n.d.). What is the Speed of Light? Retrieved from livescience.com/37199-speed-of-light.html
- Sullivan, M. (2019, August 12). What Is the Fastest Pitch Ever Recorded in Major League Baseball? Retrieved from thoughtco.com/fastest-pitch-ever-recorded-in-mlb-3133704
- Fasciano, P. (2017, March 14). What Is the Magnus Effect? Retrieved from livescience.com/57372-magnus-effect.html