Two rockets are flying in the same direction and are side by side at the instant their retrorockets fire. rocket a has an initial velicity of +5800m/s, while rocket b has an initial velocity of +8600m/s. after a time t both rockets are again side by side, the displacement of each being zero. the acceleration of rocket a is -15m/s^2. what is the acceleration of rocket b?

-22.2 m/s²

Explanation:

The equation for position x for a constant acceleration a, time t and initial velocity v₀, initial position x₀:

(1)

For rocket A the initial and final position: x = x₀= 0. Using these values in equation 1 gives:

(2)

Solving for time t:

(3)

The times for both rockets must be equal, since they start and end at the same location. Using equation 3 for rocket A and B gives:

(4)

Solving equation 4 for acceleration of rocket B:

(5)