Question

What does d=1/2gt^2 solve?
if g=gravity and t=halftime

The distance from the ground to the peak, or the peak to the ground?

(I am using this for my assignment as we are making rockets and we have to calculate the distance it travelled using the time.)

We also have to list limitations of this formula so I was wondering whether the formula solves the distance of it going upwards or downwards, since the time of it going upwards and downwards are not always equal.
Please if there are any limitations to list, please let me know.


Thank you!

Answer 1

Physics is a bit difficult, I try to explain.

You know that the acceleration formula (to find the distance) is d=1/2at^2, when you have no initial distance and no initial speed.

d=1/2gt^2 is the formula for the Free Fall (the only acceleration that acts on the object is the Gravity Acceleration) and since we consider the y-axis positive when oriented up, it solves from ground to peak (object thrown upward).

The formula when the object goes downwards is d=v0t - 1/2gt^2

Hope it's clear, in case leave a comment.