A tugboat is towing a supply barge across a lake at a constant velocity. The two vessels are connected by a horizontal cable in which there is a tension of T T\,T newtons.
The engines of the tugboat exert a constant forward thrust of 14,400 N14{,}400 \text{ N}14,400 N.
The water resistance (drag) acting on the barge is 5,850 N5{,}850 \text{ N}5,850 N.
State the value of TTT, providing a physical reason for your answer.
State one assumption you have made about the cable in your model.
Determine the magnitude of the resistive drag force acting specifically on the tugboat.
130 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Maths Applications of Forces, covering 7.1 Static Particles, 7.2 Modelling with Statics, 7.3 Friction and Static Particles, 7.4 Static Rigid Bodies, 7.5 Dynamics and Inclined Planes, and 7.6 Connected Particles 2. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.