Mathematics 9709 · AS & A Level · Forces and equilibrium
Forces and equilibrium — practice question
A car’s mass is $1000\,\text{kg}$. If it moves at a constant speed of $v\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, with $v>2$, the resistive force on the car is $(Av + B)\,\text{N}$, where $A$ and $B$ are constants. On a horizontal road, the car can maintain a steady speed of $18\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ when the engine output is $36\,\text{kW}$. It can also go up a hill making an angle of $\theta$ to the horizontal, with $\sin\theta = 0.05$, at a constant speed of $12\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ when the engine output is $21\,\text{kW}$.
(main)[7]
Find the values of $A$ and $B$.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Apply $DF = \dfrac{P}{v}$ to determine the driving force in either situation, e.g. $DF = \dfrac{36000}{18}$ or $DF = \dfrac{21000}{12}$” …