Directional Acceleration on Tap

Hi Gamesalad community! My name is Xer and I'm working out the kinks on my first iPhone game. I'm an illustrator and concept artist by education, but I share the same passion for game making as you all. 
So I'm testing this out, but I could use a little help about the best way to go about this...
I have a gravity ball actor that I would like to accelerate in a direction that depends on the location of a "tap."
For instance, I tap directly near the left of the ball and it accelerates to the right. I tap directly below it and it accelerates upwards.The distance of my tap from the ball dictates the power of the acceleration. Kind of like a shockwave or explosion.
Would it be best to have the tap generate a circular actor that expands in size and collides with the ball, or is there a more efficient way?
Your help is much appreciated, and I look forward to contributing whatever knowledge I have and will gain in the future.
_Xer

So I'm testing this out, but I could use a little help about the best way to go about this...
I have a gravity ball actor that I would like to accelerate in a direction that depends on the location of a "tap."
For instance, I tap directly near the left of the ball and it accelerates to the right. I tap directly below it and it accelerates upwards.The distance of my tap from the ball dictates the power of the acceleration. Kind of like a shockwave or explosion.
Would it be best to have the tap generate a circular actor that expands in size and collides with the ball, or is there a more efficient way?
Your help is much appreciated, and I look forward to contributing whatever knowledge I have and will gain in the future.
_Xer