written by
Edward F. Redish, Patrick Cooney, and K. Vick
supported by
the National Science Foundation
This web page contains a homework assignment that asks the student to solve problems based on the launch and flight of a rocket. Developed as an alternative to traditional textbook homework, this item is based on the work of the Activity Based Physics project (ABP). Students must make estimations and build their own mathematical models to determine which concepts of classical mechanics apply to each section of the problem set. Topics covered include kinematics, Newton's second law, conservation of energy, and projectile motion.
This item is part of a larger collection of alternative homework assignments designed for introductory physics students. Each assignment poses a series of questions about a single context. To successfully complete assignments, students must think critically about how the physical situation could be represented by mathematics.
SEE RELATED MATERIALS BELOW for a link to the full collection.
These problems may be freely used in classrooms. They may be copied and cited in published work if the Activity-Based Physics (ABP) Alternative Homework Assignments (AHAs) Problem site is mentioned and the URL given.
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/introphys/items/detail.cfm?ID=7667">Redish, E, P. Cooney, and K. Vick. Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion. June 25, 2002.</a>
E. Redish, P. Cooney, and K. Vick, Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion (2002), <http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/abp/aha/rocket.htm>.
Redish, E., Cooney, P., & Vick, K. (2002, June 25). Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/abp/aha/rocket.htm
Redish, E, P. Cooney, and K. Vick. Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion. June 25, 2002. http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/abp/aha/rocket.htm (accessed 12 February 2025).
Redish, Edward F., Patrick Cooney, and K. Vick. Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion. 2002. 25 June 2002. National Science Foundation. 12 Feb. 2025 <http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/abp/aha/rocket.htm>.
@misc{
Author = "Edward F. Redish and Patrick Cooney and K. Vick",
Title = {Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {12 February 2025},
Month = {June 25, 2002},
Year = {2002}
}
%A Edward F. Redish %A Patrick Cooney %A K. Vick %T Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion %D June 25, 2002 %U http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/abp/aha/rocket.htm %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %A Redish, Edward F. %A Cooney, Patrick %A Vick, K. %D June 25, 2002 %T Activity Based Physics Alternative Homework Assignments: Rocket Motion %V 2025 %N 12 February 2025 %8 June 25, 2002 %9 text/html %U http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/abp/aha/rocket.htm
Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.