Help with max rocket height. Heights differ with methods.

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The discussion revolves around calculating the maximum altitude of a 200 kg weather rocket with 100 kg of fuel, which accelerates upward at 30 m/s² for 30 seconds. Two methods were used to determine the altitude, resulting in significantly different heights: 55,000 meters and 96,000 meters. The discrepancy arises from the second method neglecting the gravitational acceleration term after the fuel runs out. It is clarified that the rocket continues to ascend under the influence of gravity, which must be accounted for in the calculations. Accurate calculations require including the gravitational effect after fuel depletion to determine the true maximum altitude.
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Homework Statement


A 200 kg weather rocket is loaded with 100 kg of fuel and fired straight up. It accelerates upward at 30 m/s^2 for 30s, then runs out of fuel. Ignore any air resistance effects. What is the rocket’s maximum altitude?

Homework Equations


Δx=V0t+(1/2)at2
V=V0+at
2aΔx=V2-V02

The Attempt at a Solution


Δx=(1/2)(30m/s2)(30s)2=13500m

V=0(m/s)+(1/2)(30m/s2)(30s)=900m/s
2(-9.81m/s2)Δx=02-9002m/s
=> Δx=41300m

Total height: 55000m

However, I did it another way and received a different result.
V=V0+at
0=900+(-9.81)t
t=91.7s

Δx=(900m/s)(91.7s)=82530m
Total height: 96000m

Why is this?
 
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In your second method, there is a missing ##-\frac{1}{2}gt^2## term. After it runs out of fuel, its acceleration will be g but not 0.
 
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The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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