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LifeMushroom
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Homework Statement
A rocket takes off from the launch pad and moves directly upward with an acceleration of 29.4 m/s2. It runs out of fuel after 4s and continues to coast upward, reaching a maximum height before falling back down to Earth.
a) Find the rocket's maximum height.
b) What is the velocity the instant before the rocket crashes back to the ground?
Homework Equations
d = vi*t + (1/2)at2
vf2 = vi2 + 2ad
vf = vi+at
a = v/t
The Attempt at a Solution
Maximum height is when the final velocity is zero, so:
vf = 0 m/s, vi = 0m/s, a = 29.4 m/s^2
Using vf2 = vi2 + 2ad
0 = 0 + 2*29.4d
0 = 58.8d
d = 0
a) I tried a=v/t and get a time of zero when rearranging it as well. This doesn't make any sense, how is the time zero and distance 0 at maximum height? I know this is likely meaning d and t = 0 at the beginning of the flight, but how can I find the max height?
b) This sounds like instantaneous velocity or something, but I searched up the formula and it requires calculus, and our class isn't supposed to have calc in it. So I assume I have to use a kinematic equation, but I'm not sure which (either vf2 = vi2+2ad or vf=vi+at)...