Fig. 2.1 shows the plan view of a small ship with mass $1.2 \times 10^6\,\text{kg}$. It is moving gently sideways at $0.040\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ as it enters the dock. The ship strikes the wooden pillars, which are pushed towards the dock wall.
(a)[2]
Calculate the ship’s kinetic energy before it collides with the pillars.
(b)[4]
Calculate the average force on the side of the ship.
(c)[2]
Calculate how far the pillars move.
(d)[1]
Some dock walls have the pillars exchanged for rubber car tyres. Explain how this lowers the chance of damage when a boat docks.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 9-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “KE = 1/2 mv^2, written in any equivalent form” …