a rocket is fired upward with an inital speed of 1960 m/s. after how many minutes does it hit the ground? The formula is s = sO + vOt + gt2/2 Since it starts from the ground, sO = 0 Since it ends up on the ground, s = 0 Since its initial speed is 1960 m/s upward, vO = 1960 Since it is fired on earth, rather than on the moon or Mars, g = -9.8 m/s2 Plug these all into: s = sO + vOt + gt2/2 0 = 0 + 1960t + (-9.8)t2/2 9.8t2/2 = 1960t Multiply both sides by 2 to clear of fractions 9.8t2 = 3920t 9.8t2 - 3920t = 0 t(9.8t - 3920) = 0 Setting the first factor = 0 t = 0 Setting the second factor = 0 9.8t - 3920 = 0 9.8t = 3920 t = 3920/9.8 t = 400 seconds or 6 2/3 minutes, or 6 minutes 40 seconds. So the rocket is on the ground at time 0 (at lift-off), which is why we get t = 0 as one solution. Then the rocket is again on the ground 6 2/3 minutes later, which is the solution we are looking for. Edwin