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

Energy, work and power — practice question

A car with mass $1200\ \text{kg}$ travels on a straight horizontal road at a steady speed of $15\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. A constant resistive force of $350\ \text{N}$ acts on it.
(i)[1]

Find the power output of the car’s engine.

(ii)[3]

The car reaches a hill inclined at $1^\circ$ to the horizontal, while still moving at $15\ \text{m s}^{-1}$. It then starts to descend with reduced power and an acceleration of $0.12\ \text{m s}^{-2}$. If the resistance force is unchanged, find the new power of the car’s engine at the instant it begins to go downhill.

(iii)[4]

When the car is moving downhill at $20\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, the power is cut off and it slows gradually. Assuming the resistance force stays at $350\,\text{N}$, find the distance covered from the instant the power is cut off until the car’s speed drops to $18\,\text{m s}^{-1}$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Power is $350\times15=5250\,\text{W}$

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