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Height of a Zero Gravity

Parabolic Flight

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 artI I 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:
2
h(t) = at + 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 artI I I 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

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2 24013
20 32167
40 33627
To find the coefficients for your model, plug the data into the equation:
2
h = at + 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, 24013) 24013 = a4 + b2 + c
(20, 32167)
32167 = a202 + b20 + c

(40, 33627)
33627 = a402 + b40 + 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.

4 2 1 24013

400 20 1 32167

1600 40 1 33627

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

Question 2 7/7 pts 92-99

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Height of a Zero Gravity

            Parabolic Flight, Part II                       

In P artI you found a 3x3 system of equations using data from the flight. The solution to that
system can now be used to create the quadratic model that gives the height of the plane as a
function of time.

a) Enter the solutions to your system here:

a = -10

b = 673

c = 22707

b) Use your solutions to form the quadratic model of the flight:

h(t) = −10t2 + 673t + 22707

c) Use h(t) to find the time when the plane reaches its maximum height. Round your answer
to one decimal place, if necessary:

t max = 33.65 seconds

d) Use h(t) and t max to find the maximum height the plane reaches. Round your answer to
the nearest foot.

h max = 34030 feet

e) The time and the maximum height correspond to what point on the graph of h(t)? Fill in
the answer below.

(t max , h max ) is the vertex of the parabola.

Take note of your answers to parts c) and d) as you will need them in P artI I I to graph h(t).

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Height of Zero Gravity

Parabolic Flight, Part III
In P artI I of this lab, you found the quadratic function, h(t), that models the parabolic flight
used to acheive "zero-G".

a) Let's confirm you have the correct function. Enter it below.

h(t) = −10t2 + 673t + 22707

b) Let's confirm you found the correct coordinates for the vertex. Enter them below.

Vertex: ( 33.65 , 34030 )

You are almost ready to graph your quadratic model. To use the graphing feature, you will
start by plotting the vertex and then one other point. The easiest other point to use is the h-
intercept (this is just like a y-intercept but your vertical axis in this model is the height, thus it
is an h-axis).

c) To find the h-intercept, you just need to evaluate your function at t = 0 . Do that here:

h(0) = 22707

d) You are ready to graph your quadratic model: h(t) = at + bt + c. It would be tricky to
2

get the vertex and h-intercept in exactly the right place. As long as you get it close, the
program should accept your answer. Give it a try.

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36000
35500
35000
34500
34000
33500
33000
32500
32000
31500
31000
30500
30000
29500
29000
28500
28000
27500
27000
26500
26000
25500
25000
24500
24000
23500
23000
22500
22000
21500
21000
20500
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 5
20000

Question 4 13/13 pts 99

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Samuel Cox

Professor Terry Roylance

Math 1010

12/3/2021

Project: Zero Gravity

This math lab had me use an augmented matrix, quadratic model, and vertex equations to

help model a parabolic path of an aircraft that is used to simulate zero gravity.

This project directly shows me how equations we learn in class are used in the real world.

When learning these equations and parabolas it can be hard to picture what they would like

outside of the classroom. It would be an important task to keep track of where aircraft is heading,

along with related details. These answers can be solved with math, and that is why it’s important

to learn mathematical techniques for the real world.

Lots of quadratic function are used everyday to help model whatever. In this specific

scenario with the aircraft, we use a parabola to keep track of the trajectory and flight. With only

the information of 3 points and times, we can use an augmented matrix to solve for solutions.

With those solutions we can make an equation for a quadratic model. And to find the vertex, the

highest point we need the quadratic model. Now with points and the vertex we can make a graph.

And were finished using mathematics to solve for some of the pathway of a flying aircraft.

This assignment helped me understand and show how math is used directly in the real

world. So math is a very useful skill to have outside of school.