Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Energy, work and power

Energy, work and power — practice question

A car with mass $1250\,\text{kg}$ is towing a caravan whose mass is $800\,\text{kg}$ on a straight road. The resistive forces acting on the car and the caravan are $440\,\text{N}$ and $280\,\text{N}$ respectively. The car and caravan are joined by a light rigid tow-bar.
(a(i))[2]

The car and caravan travel on a level section of road at a steady speed of $30\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Calculate, in kW, the power produced by the car’s engine.

(a(ii))[4]

Given that this power is suddenly reduced by $8\,\text{kW}$, determine the instantaneous deceleration of the car and caravan and the tension in the tow-bar.

(b(i))[3]

The car and caravan now move along a stretch of road inclined at $\sin^{-1} 0.06$ to the horizontal. They travel uphill at constant speed while the car’s engine works at $28\,\text{kW}$. Find the constant speed.

(b(ii))[2]

Find the increase in the caravan’s potential energy in one minute.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Apply $P = Fv$ using the total resistive force

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