A powered launch tows an unmanned survey float in a straight line across still water. The tow rope remains taut.
The motor provides a horizontal thrust of 500 N. The resistive forces act in the opposite direction to the motion.
At one instant, the launch and the survey float accelerate together at 1.0 m/s2.
| Object | Mass | Resistive force |
|---|---|---|
| Powered launch | 180 kg | 80 N |
| Survey float | 60 kg | unknown |
Calculate the resistive force acting on the survey float.
Calculate the tension in the tow rope.
The resistive force on the survey float later becomes 240 N. The thrust and the resistive force on the powered launch do not change.
Explain whether the tension in the tow rope increases, decreases or stays the same.