Projectile Motion maximum altitude of rocket

In summary: Also, you can use your horizontal component velocity and your time of flight to compute the horizontal distance traveled. The maximum altitude reached by the rocket is 1520 meters, its total time of flight is 36.1 seconds, and its horizontal range is 4050 meters.
  • #1
dontcare
12
0
A rocket is launched at an angle of 53o above the horizontal with an initial speed of 100m/s. It moves for 3s along its initial line of motion with an accelration of 30m/s2. At this time its engines fail and the rocket proceeds to move as a free body. Find a)the maximum altitude reached by the rocket, b)its total time of flight, and c)its horizontal range.

Can someone please explain how to approach this problem.
 
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  • #2
Start by figuring out its velocity after 3 seconds of accelerating.
 
  • #3
Need More Help Please.

This is what i have so far.

Part a:
s = vot + (.5)at^2
s = 100m/s(3s) + .5(30m/s/s)(3s)^2 = 435 m

y1 = s(sin 53) = 347 m
y2= [100(sin53)^2 / 2(9.8)] = 325 m
ytotal = 347 + 325 = 672 m

correct answer is 1520 m

The rest of the problem will be solved incorrectly. But here is what i would have done if the previous answer was correct.

Part b:
t(total) = t1 + t2

t1= 3s
y= vo(sin53)t - .5*g*(t^2)
solve for time using quadratic eqn.

the correct answer is 36.1 s

Part c
x1 = v0t + .5(a)t^2 = 262m
x2 = s(cos 53) = 435m
xtotal = 435 + 262 = 697 m

the correct answer is 4050 m
 
  • #4
You've already figured out that it is 347 meters above the ground after you finish accelerating. Now you need to know your y-component velocity after you've finished accelerating. With that, you can compute how long it will take gravity to slow you to 0, and using your velocity after accelerating and 0, you can compute an average velocity. With your average velocity and time, you can compute how high the rocket will climb after it finishes accelearating, and add this to your 347 meters for your final height.
 

1. What is Projectile Motion and how does it relate to a rocket's maximum altitude?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object through the air, such as a rocket being launched into the sky. It is characterized by two components: horizontal motion at a constant speed and vertical motion affected by gravity. The maximum altitude of a rocket is determined by the combination of these two components.

2. How is the maximum altitude of a rocket calculated using Projectile Motion?

The maximum altitude of a rocket can be calculated using the formula h = (v02sin2θ)/2g, where h is the maximum altitude, v0 is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. By plugging in the values for each variable, we can determine the maximum altitude of the rocket.

3. What factors affect the maximum altitude of a rocket in Projectile Motion?

The maximum altitude of a rocket is affected by various factors, such as the initial velocity, launch angle, air resistance, and the force of gravity. The initial velocity and launch angle determine the direction and speed of the rocket, while air resistance and gravity can either hinder or aid the rocket's motion.

4. How is the maximum altitude of a rocket affected by the launch angle?

The launch angle plays a crucial role in determining the maximum altitude of a rocket. A launch angle of 45 degrees will result in the maximum horizontal distance traveled, but a launch angle closer to 90 degrees will result in a higher maximum altitude. A launch angle of 0 degrees (horizontal launch) will result in the lowest maximum altitude.

5. Can the maximum altitude of a rocket be greater than the initial velocity?

Yes, the maximum altitude of a rocket can be greater than the initial velocity. This is because the initial velocity is only one component of the rocket's motion. The combination of the initial velocity and the force of gravity acting on the rocket can result in a higher maximum altitude than the initial velocity alone would suggest.

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