What was the acceleration of the rocket?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of a rocket moving towards Alpha Centauri, initially traveling at 1000 m/s and firing its rockets for 5 minutes, resulting in a distance of 240 km. The correct formula used is r = ut + 1/2at², where r is the distance, u is the initial velocity, t is time, and a is acceleration. The participant initially calculated an acceleration of -0.133 m/s² but was advised to check their calculations, revealing a missing zero that affected the final result.

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Homework Statement



A rocket moving towards Alpha Centuari at 1000ms^-1 fires its rockets, accelerating backwards at a constant rate for 5 minutes. During this 5 minutes, the rocket moved 240km close to the star. What was the acceleration?

Homework Equations



I have no idea what formula you should use
Maybe:
r= ut + 1/2at^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Hmm , i'll tell you my attempt , but srsly this question is hard

r = ut + 1/2at^2

r = 240 km = 240000 m
u = 1000m/s
t = 5 mins = 300s
a = ?

240000 = 1000 x 300 + 1/2 x a x (300)^2
240000 = 300000 + 45000a

= - 6000 = 45000a

a = -6000/45000

a = -0.133m/s/s towards the star ...
 
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I think your answer is sound, except that your final result is out by a factor of ten. Maybe you should check the numbers in the last few lines of your calculation.

In future, you might find it easier to move the symbols around first and then leave putting the numbers in until the very end. You could take the equation that you started with and rearrange it to get a = ... and THEN sub in the values from the question.
 
Sorry, with the equation, I don't seem to know where I went wrong. I think it's the right formula but
 
I am so confused ?? looking at that equation does my head in.
 
Yes, the formula is right, and all of your working is fine until you get to the last few lines

240000 = 300000 + 45000a

= - 6000 = 45000a

Check the numbers and you should find that you're missing a zero somewhere.
 
Ohh I see what you did. Thanks
 

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