Project 2: Zero Gravity https://slcc.instructure.

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Question 1 15/15 pts 97-99

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Height of a Zero Gravity

   Background Information: 

Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to float weightless in space? One way to try it
out is to fly on a special aircraft that astronauts use to train for their trips to space. Both NASA
and the Russian Space Agency have been flying these for years. The way it is done is to fly to a
high altitude, drop down to gain speed, then start a large parabolic path up in the sky. For a
time ranging from 10 to 20 seconds, along the top part of the parabolic flight, an environment
simulating zero gravity is created within the plane. This effect can cause some nausea in the
participants, giving rise to the name "Vomit Comet", the plane used by NASA for zero-G
parabolic training flights. Currently there is also a private company that will sell you a zero-G
ride, though it is a bit expensive.

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The Problem

This lab will have you develop a mathematical model for the parabolic path.

In P artI you will find the system of equations needed to find the values to create the model.
Using three given data points that describe the altitude (the height in feet) of the plane at a
given time (in seconds), you will determine a 3X3 system of linear equations. You will also
write the system as an augmented matrix.

In P artII you will find the solution of the system of equations which gives you the
coefficients, a, b, and c that you will use for the quadratic model of the flight:

 h(t) = at2 + bt + c 
You will also use your model to find the time that the maximum height of the plane is reached
and the maximum height itself.

In P artIII  you will visualize the model by plotting the function on an appropriately scaled
set of axes.

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 P artI  

The Data: Here are three times and the measured height of the plane at those times.
Time (t) in Height (h) in
seconds feet
2 24090
20 32334
40 33894

To find the coefficients for your model, plug the data into the equation:

 h = at2 + bt + c 
The data points are just like x and y values, where the x value is the time t in seconds and the y
value is the altitude h in feet. Plug these into the model to get three linear equations with variables 
a , b ,and c .
Data Values Enter the resulting equation  

 (2, 24090)  2   
24090 = a ( 2 ) + b ( 2 ) + c
(20, 32334) 2
32334 = a ( 20 ) + b ( 20 ) + c  
 
(40, 33894) 2
33894 = a ( 40 ) + b ( 40 ) + c  
 

Now that you have your system of 3 equations with 3 unknowns, you will have to solve it. For this
lab, you can solve the system using any method you prefer. However, working with augmented
matrices is undoubtedly an efficient way to solve systems of equations. So, you should at least
practice setting up the corresponding augmented matrix for your system. Let's do that here:

Fill in the augmented matrix for your system.

    4a     2b     1         24090    

    400a     20b     1         32334    

    1600a     40b     1         33894    

You will now need to solve the system to find a , b , and c . Go to the next question to submit those
values.

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2 of 3 11/24/20, 5:32 PM