Question

You launch a model rocket that rises 550 feet in 2.75 seconds. It then opens a parachute and falls at a rate of 11 feet per second. What is the rocket's average velocity going up? (TABLE CANNOT COPY)

Short answer

The rocket's average velocity going up is approximately 200 feet per second.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the variables from the problem

The distance the model rocket has traveled (d) is 550 feet and the time it took the rocket to reach that altitude (t) is 2.75 seconds.

Calculate the average velocity

Use the following formula to calculate average velocity: \( v = \frac{d}{t} \). Substitute in the given distances and times: \(v = \frac{550}{2.75}\)

Result

After evaluating the expression, the average velocity (v) comes out to be approximately 200 feet per second.

Key concepts

Model Rocket Mathematics

Exploring the intersection of model rockets and mathematics can be a thrilling way to understand concepts of physics and algebra together. Model rocket mathematics involves using algebraic equations to predict and calculate the behavior of a rocket. For instance, to calculate how high a rocket would go, we would consider the rocket's initial velocity and the force of gravity working against it.

For educational purposes, a straightforward model rocket problem would involve the rocket's vertical movement, typically divided into two phases: the ascent and the descent. In this context, ascent refers to the rocket rising, and descent refers to it falling back to Earth, possibly aided by a parachute, as is the case in our example. Understanding these two movements and being able to calculate different variables, like velocity and time, is essential in painting a complete picture of the rocket's journey.

Velocity Calculation

The concept of average velocity is fundamental in understanding motion. It tells us the average speed of an object over a given period and is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. It's essential to differentiate it from instantaneous velocity, which is the speed at any given moment in time.

Calculating Average Velocity

For consistent motion, average velocity is simple to calculate using the formula for average velocity: \( v = \frac{d}{t} \), where \(v\) is velocity, \(d\) is distance traveled, and \(t\) is the time taken. Using real-life examples like a model rocket's flight makes the learning experience more tangible and memorable for students by applying mathematics to an exciting scenario.

Algebraic Expressions

Algebraic expressions are the backbone of solving many mathematics problems. They encompass the use of numbers, variables, and operations to represent a particular value. In the context of calculating velocity, we deal with a straightforward algebraic expression: \( v = \frac{d}{t} \).

To solve for velocity, students need to understand how to manipulate these expressions properly, substituting in known values for the variables to find the unknown. In our rocket example, the expression becomes \( v = \frac{550}{2.75} \) when we replace \(d\) with 550 feet and \(t\) with 2.75 seconds. Grasping algebraic expressions is pivotal as they form the basis for more complex equations in physics and higher mathematics.