What affects the flight of a baseball?

Answer 1

Friction affects everything in Baseball; from the ball meeting the bat and its' barrel an the subsequent trajectory, to friction of the air slowing the balls' velocity and distance traveled. If a ball were hit at sea-level (where air molecules are more concentrated or dense) versus being hit in a stadium well above sea-level (where air molecules have more space between them) and all other things equal, the ball will travel further.

Probably the most interesting application of friction would be utilized by the pitcher, whose different grips and spins applied to the ball can make it do different things in the air it is thrown through by the friction of the air meeting the ball, and the friction of the pitchers grip to the delivery, or release of the ball.

Answer 2

Since we all know gravity pulls masses downward to the center of the earth, so does the baseball. Depending on the speed and trajectory, the speed depends on flight. Trajectory also counts to. To get a solid hit you should aim at 45 degree angle. The angle of the bat at which you hit the baseball with. So depending on the higher the angle of trajectory, the longer the ball will stay in the air.

Answer 3

The angle it's hit ie it's trajectory. The power of which it is hit. The spin on the ball. Atmospheric pressure, wind, scratches on the ball or scuffs. The type of bat, weather there are a lot of things that can affect it's flight.

Answer 4

Weather has an important influence on how a baseball travels when it is hit. Air pressure, wind, temperature and humidity are important to note.

Air pressure: Air pressure depends on the elevation of a region and the current weather. Air pressure is usually the most important factor in determining how far a baseball will travel in the air when hit, all else being equal. At higher elevations, air has a lower density. When the air density is lower, baseballs can travel further. Air rubbing against a baseball produces a frictional force. The lower the air density, the smaller this frictional force becomes. Air density also changes depending on whether high pressure or low pressure weather is influencing the region.

Wind: Wind either amplifies or reduces the amount of friction the baseball experiences during flight. Air flowing toward the baseball in flight acts as a force to slow the forward motion. This slows the ball down and reduces its flight path. Wind flowing with the baseball helps it fly longer distances.

Temperature: When air warms, it expands. This warming and expansion lowers the density of the air. This produces longer flight distances, all else being basically equal.

Humidity: At the same temperature, air with a higher dew point will be less dense. Click here for an explanation of why this is. At a higher humidity, baseballs will travel a little further, all else being equal.