Question

A rocket moves upward, starting from rest with an acceleration of 25.4 m/s^2 for 3.39 s. It runs out of fuel at the end of the 3.39 s, but does not stop. How high does it rise above the ground? Answer in units of m.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Initial speed of the rocket, u = 0

Acceleration of the rocket, $a=25.4\ m/s^2$

Time taken, t = 3.39 s

Let v is the final velocity of the rocket when it runs out of fuels. Using the equation of kinematics as :

$v=u+at$

$v=25.4\times 3.39=86.10\ m/s$    

Let x is the initial position of the rocket. Using third equation of kinematics as :

$v^2=u^2+2ax_o$

$x_o=\dfrac{v^2}{2a}$

$x_o=\dfrac{86.10^2}{2\times 25.4}=145.92\ m$  

Let $x_o$ is the position at the maximum height. Again using equation of motion as :

$v^2-u^2=2a(x-x_o)$

Now $a=-g$ and v and u will interchange

$u^2=2g(x-x_o)$

$x=x_o+\dfrac{u^2}{2g}$

$x=145.92+\dfrac{(86.10)^2}{2\times 9.8}$

x = 524.14 meters

Hence, this is the required solution.