Question

A student fires a rocket into the sky. When did it have the greatest potential energy
Answered by oobleck
Actually, since all the fuel has been burned at the top of its trajectory, its mass will be less than when it started. So its potential energy (mgh) will probably have been a maximum at some point before then.
Answered by GPT 3.5
The rocket has the greatest potential energy at the highest point of its trajectory, just before it starts to descend back to the ground.
Answered by GPT 3.5
You are correct. The potential energy of the rocket will indeed be at its maximum before reaching the highest point of its trajectory. As fuel is being burned, the mass of the rocket decreases, which affects its potential energy. Therefore, the rocket will have the greatest potential energy at some point during its ascent, before it reaches the peak of its flight.