Question

A projectile is fired vertically from Earth's surface with an initial speed of 3.1 km/s. Neglecting air drag, how far above the surface of Earth will it go

Answer 1

The maximum height reached by the projectile is 490.31 km.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

initial velocity of the projectile, u = 3.1 km/s = 3100 m/s

acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s²

The maximum height reached by the projectile is calculated as;

v² = u² - 2gh

where;

v is the final velocity of the projectile at maximum height = 0

h is the maximum height reached by the projectile

0 = u² - 2gh

2gh = u²

h = u² / 2g

h = (3100²) / (2 x 9.8)

h = 490306.122 m

h = 490.31 km

Therefore, the maximum height reached by the projectile is 490.31 km.