Math Problem Statement

A rocket has mass 0.8kg and launches straight upwards with initial velocity 6 m/s. This time the thrusting force decreases with time as the rocket runs out of fuel, like F(t) = 22-7t Newtons. How many seconds after launch does the rocket reach its peak height?

Solution

To determine when the rocket reaches its peak height, we need to find when its velocity becomes zero. The peak height is reached when the upward velocity slows to a stop.

We are given:

  • Initial mass of the rocket m=0.8kgm = 0.8 \, \text{kg},
  • Initial velocity v0=6m/sv_0 = 6 \, \text{m/s},
  • Thrusting force as a function of time: F(t)=227tNF(t) = 22 - 7t \, \text{N},
  • Acceleration due to gravity: g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2.

Step 1: Find the net force on the rocket

The net force on the rocket is the thrusting force minus the gravitational force. The gravitational force is constant and equal to Fg=mg=0.8×9.8=7.84NF_g = mg = 0.8 \times 9.8 = 7.84 \, \text{N}.

Thus, the net force as a function of time is: Fnet(t)=F(t)Fg=(227t)7.84=14.167tN.F_{\text{net}}(t) = F(t) - F_g = (22 - 7t) - 7.84 = 14.16 - 7t \, \text{N}.

Step 2: Use Newton's second law

Newton's second law relates the net force to acceleration: Fnet(t)=ma(t),F_{\text{net}}(t) = ma(t), where a(t)a(t) is the acceleration. We can solve for acceleration: a(t)=Fnet(t)m=14.167t0.8.a(t) = \frac{F_{\text{net}}(t)}{m} = \frac{14.16 - 7t}{0.8}. Simplifying this expression: a(t)=17.78.75tm/s2.a(t) = 17.7 - 8.75t \, \text{m/s}^2.

Step 3: Integrate acceleration to find velocity

To find the velocity, we integrate the acceleration: v(t)=a(t)dt=(17.78.75t)dt=17.7t4.375t2+C.v(t) = \int a(t) \, dt = \int (17.7 - 8.75t) \, dt = 17.7t - 4.375t^2 + C. The constant CC can be found from the initial condition: v(0)=6m/sv(0) = 6 \, \text{m/s}. Substituting this into the velocity equation: v(0)=17.7×04.375×02+C=6,v(0) = 17.7 \times 0 - 4.375 \times 0^2 + C = 6, so C=6C = 6.

Thus, the velocity as a function of time is: v(t)=17.7t4.375t2+6.v(t) = 17.7t - 4.375t^2 + 6.

Step 4: Solve for when the velocity is zero

At the peak height, the velocity is zero: 0=17.7t4.375t2+6.0 = 17.7t - 4.375t^2 + 6. Rearranging this equation: 4.375t217.7t6=0.4.375t^2 - 17.7t - 6 = 0. This is a quadratic equation. We can solve it using the quadratic formula: t=(17.7)±(17.7)24(4.375)(6)2(4.375).t = \frac{-(-17.7) \pm \sqrt{(-17.7)^2 - 4(4.375)(-6)}}{2(4.375)}. Simplifying inside the square root: t=17.7±313.29+1058.75=17.7±418.298.75.t = \frac{17.7 \pm \sqrt{313.29 + 105}}{8.75} = \frac{17.7 \pm \sqrt{418.29}}{8.75}. Taking the square root: t=17.7±20.458.75.t = \frac{17.7 \pm 20.45}{8.75}. Thus, we have two solutions: t1=17.7+20.458.75=38.158.754.36seconds,t_1 = \frac{17.7 + 20.45}{8.75} = \frac{38.15}{8.75} \approx 4.36 \, \text{seconds}, t2=17.720.458.75=2.758.750.31seconds(not physically meaningful).t_2 = \frac{17.7 - 20.45}{8.75} = \frac{-2.75}{8.75} \approx -0.31 \, \text{seconds} \, (\text{not physically meaningful}).

Conclusion:

The rocket reaches its peak height at approximately t=4.36secondst = 4.36 \, \text{seconds}.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to expand on this:

  1. What is the maximum height reached by the rocket?
  2. How would the problem change if air resistance is considered?
  3. How does the mass of the rocket affect the time to reach peak height?
  4. How long will it take for the rocket to return to the ground?
  5. How would you calculate the velocity at any time tt during ascent?

Tip: Always check units for consistency when solving physics problems.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Newton's Second Law
Quadratic Equations
Kinematics

Formulas

Net force: F_net(t) = F(t) - F_g
Newton's second law: F_net(t) = ma(t)
Acceleration: a(t) = (F_net(t)) / m
Velocity: v(t) = ∫a(t) dt
Quadratic equation: ax^2 + bx + c = 0

Theorems

Quadratic Formula
Newton's Second Law of Motion

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 11-12 (Physics and Calculus)