A soccer goalkeeper catches an incoming ball by pulling her hands backward while the…
PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Force and Laws of Motion · Force and Laws of Motion
Problem
A soccer goalkeeper catches an incoming ball by pulling her hands backward while the ball slows to a stop. Which of the following best explains why this technique reduces the chance of injury to the keeper’s hands?
(a) Pulling the hands back reduces the time of contact, so the average force exerted on the hands is smaller.
(b) Pulling the hands back increases the contact time, so the average force on the hands is smaller for the same momentum change.
(c) Pulling the hands back decreases the ball’s momentum, therefore less force is required to stop it.
(d) Pulling the hands back increases the distance over which the ball is stopped, so the ball experiences a smaller deceleration and exerts less force.