Question

An alien spaceship is 500 m above the ground and moving at a constant

velocity of 150 m/s upwards. How high above the ground is the ship after 5
seconds?

Answer 1

Answer: 1250 m

Step-by-step explanation:

This situation is related to vertical movement and can be modelled by the following equation:

`y=y_(o)+V_(o)t + (1)/(2)at^(2)`

Where:

`y` is the height of the alien spaceship at a given time

`y_(o)=50m` is the initial height of the alien spaceship (we are told it was already 500 m above the ground)

`V_(o)=150 m/s` is the initial velocity of the alien spaceship, that is also constant. This means the velocity is the same during the whole motion and there is no acceleration.

`t= 5s` is the time

`a=0` is the acceleration

Rewritting the equation with the given conditions:

`y=y_(o)+V_(o)t`

`y=500 m+(150 m/s)(5 s)`

`y=1250 m`