In t-ball, young players use a bat to hit a stationary ball off a stand. The 140 g ball has about the same mass as a baseball, but it is larger and softer. In one hit, the ball leaves the bat at 12 m/s after being in contact with the bat for 2.0 ms². Assume constant acceleration during the hit.

a. What is the acceleration of the ball?

b. What is the net force on the ball during the hit?