Edexcel M2 2014 June — Question 2

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleM2 (Mechanics 2)
Year2014
SessionJune
TopicWork, energy and Power 1

2. A trailer of mass 250 kg is towed by a car of mass 1000 kg . The car and the trailer are travelling down a straight road inclined at an angle \(\theta\) to the horizontal, where \(\sin \theta = \frac { 1 } { 20 }\) The resistance to motion of the car is modelled as a single force of magnitude 300 N acting parallel to the road. The resistance to motion of the trailer is modelled as a single force of magnitude 100 N acting parallel to the road. The towbar joining the car to the trailer is modelled as a light rod which is parallel to the direction of motion. At a given instant the car and the trailer are moving down the road with speed \(25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and acceleration \(0.2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Find the power being developed by the car's engine at this instant.
  2. Find the tension in the towbar at this instant.