2d Kinematics: rocket fired up, engine dies

AI Thread Summary
A rocket accelerates at 5 m/s² until its engine fails, after which it enters freefall and hits the ground 12 seconds later. The final velocity upon impact is calculated using the equation Vf = Vi - at, where Vi is the initial velocity derived from the time of freefall. The maximum height reached by the rocket can be determined using kinematic equations, considering the acceleration due to gravity after the engine failure. The calculations suggest that the maximum height is approximately 1382.98 meters, although the time values and initial conditions need careful consideration. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly applying kinematic equations to solve for both final velocity and height.
blumatrix
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?: A rocket is fired up at 5 m/s^2. After a certain time, the engine fails and the rocket goes into freefall. It hits the ground 12 seconds after engine failing. Find V(final) and height that the rocket reaches.

the the way down...
Vf = Vi - at
set Vf = 0 b/c when it hits the ground, V = 0
Vi = 9.8(12)
Vi = 117.6 m/s

so plugging this back into the trip up...
Vf = Vi - at
Vf = 117.6 m/s
Vi = 0 b/c it starts at 0 before fired.
117.6 m/s = - (5 m/s^2)t
t = 23.52 sec

i hope this is right so far... so how do i find V(final) and the height using this? the rocket doesn't stop when the engine dies. it continues up for a little bit before starting the freefall...

thx guys.
 
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blumatrix said:
?: A rocket is fired up at 5 m/s^2. After a certain time, the engine fails and the rocket goes into freefall. It hits the ground 12 seconds after engine failing. Find V(final) and height that the rocket reaches.

the the way down...
Vf = Vi - at
set Vf = 0 b/c when it hits the ground, V = 0
Vi = 9.8(12)
Vi = 117.6 m/s

so plugging this back into the trip up...
Vf = Vi - at
Vf = 117.6 m/s
Vi = 0 b/c it starts at 0 before fired.
117.6 m/s = - (5 m/s^2)t
t = 23.52 sec

i hope this is right so far... so how do i find V(final) and the height using this? the rocket doesn't stop when the engine dies. it continues up for a little bit before starting the freefall...

thx guys.

Did you perhaps mean 'A rocket is fired up at 5 m/s' ?

Vi = 0 b/c it starts at 0 before fired. -> What exactly did you mean by that? The initial velocity can not equal zero.
 
blumatrix said:
?: A rocket is fired up at 5 m/s^2. After a certain time, the engine fails and the rocket goes into freefall. It hits the ground 12 seconds after engine failing. Find V(final) and height that the rocket reaches.

the the way down...
Vf = Vi - at
set Vf = 0 b/c when it hits the ground, V = 0
Vi = 9.8(12)
Vi = 117.6 m/s

so plugging this back into the trip up...
Vf = Vi - at
Vf = 117.6 m/s
Vi = 0 b/c it starts at 0 before fired.
117.6 m/s = - (5 m/s^2)t
t = 23.52 sec

i hope this is right so far... so how do i find V(final) and the height using this? the rocket doesn't stop when the engine dies. it continues up for a little bit before starting the freefall...

thx guys.
The heigth at any instant t can be calculated by:
h = h_0 + v_0\cdott + \frac{1}{2}\cdota\cdott^2
The maximum height is reached when V = 0.
From 0 to 23.52 seconds, a = 5 ms^{-2}
After that time a = -g = -9.8 ms^{-2}
 
SGT said:
The heigth at any instant t can be calculated by:
h = h_0 + v_0\cdott + \frac{1}{2}\cdota\cdott^2
The maximum height is reached when V = 0.
From 0 to 23.52 seconds, a = 5 ms^{-2}
After that time a = -g = -9.8 ms^{-2}

That would be the height at t = 1, not at any instant t.
 
initial velocity can be 0 if the object is not in motion, right?

and 5 m/s^2 is the acceleration of the rocket.
 
so velocity will be 0 at the peak after the engine dies...
setting V = 0, and using Y(final) = Yi + Vi(t) + 1/2at^2
Yf = 0 + 0 + 1/2(5)(23.52^2)
Yf = 1382.98m

is that right?
 
blumatrix said:
so velocity will be 0 at the peak after the engine dies...
setting V = 0, and using Y(final) = Yi + Vi(t) + 1/2at^2
Yf = 0 + 0 + 1/2(5)(23.52^2)
Yf = 1382.98m

is that right?
No, I used wrongly the value 23.52 seconds you calculated.
The value of a is 5 m/s^2 from t = 0 until an unknown time t = t_1, when the velocity will reach a maximum value V_f
We know that after some time t_f = t_1 + t_2 the velocity will be zero.
Then, the rocket will fall, accelerated by gravity, and after a time t_3, will hit the ground.
We know that t_2 + t_3 = 12 s
You have 4 unknowns: t_1, t_2, t_3, V_f and 3 equations of movement: from 0 to t_1, from t_1 to t_f = t_1 + t_2 and from that time to t_f + t_3 and an equation of time: t_2 + t_3 = 12 s.
 
radou said:
That would be the height at t = 1, not at any instant t.
I don't know what happened with my LaTex equation. It should read:
h = h_0 + V_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2
 
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