The correct answer is C. there is a force on the ball opposing the motion.
Explanation:
When a batsman hits a cricket ball, it is initially given a velocity. However, the ball does not continue to roll indefinitely but eventually comes to rest. This happens because of the opposing forces that act on the ball. The key forces at play are:
1. Friction: The ball rolls on the ground, and friction between the ball and the ground opposes the motion. Frictional forces act in the opposite direction of the ball’s velocity, gradually reducing its speed. This is why the ball slows down and eventually comes to a stop.
2. Air Resistance: The ball experiences air resistance as it moves through the air. While it might not be as significant as friction on the ground, air resistance still works against the motion of the ball and contributes to slowing it down.
Why the other options are incorrect:
• A: The batsman might have hit the ball with sufficient force to give it some speed. The issue here is not the initial speed of the ball but the opposing forces acting on it once it starts rolling.
• B: The velocity of the ball is not directly proportional to the force exerted on it. The force that the batsman applies to the ball determines its initial velocity, but it is the friction and air resistance that reduce the velocity afterward.
• D: According to Newton's first law of motion, an object in motion will continue in motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. In this case, there are unbalanced forces (friction and air resistance) that oppose the motion of the ball, causing it to stop.
Therefore, the correct reason for the ball slowing down and coming to rest is the presence of opposing forces (friction and air resistance) that gradually decrease its velocity.
