A classical mechanics problem by A Former Brilliant Member
The engines of a rocket sitting on the ground fire to accelerate the rocket at 3.5m/s2 until it reaches an altitude of 1.2km. At that point the engines fail and the rocket is in free fall.
What height does the rocket reach? Assume a constant acceleration of gravity of 9.8m/s2 even at these high altitudes.
The answer is 1630.
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1 solution
I used this expression to find how far it goes while decelerating due to gravity: 02=91.72+2(−9.8)d d=430m This is how much higher it goes, so the total height is: 1200+430=1630m