A motorized barge pulls a loaded fuel tender along a straight, horizontal canal.
The barge pulls the tender with a constant tension force of 320 N320\text{ N}320 N for a distance of 450 m450\text{ m}450 m.
State the equation linking work done, force, and distance.
Calculate the work done by the barge on the tender.
State how much energy is transferred to the tender.
The mass of the barge is 3500 kg3500\text{ kg}3500 kg. The mass of the tender is 1500 kg1500\text{ kg}1500 kg.
State the equation linking kinetic energy, mass, and velocity.
Calculate the total kinetic energy when the barge and tender travel together at a constant speed of 8 m/s8\text{ m/s}8 m/s.
The tender is uncoupled, and the barge continues its journey alone. Without the tender, the barge has greater acceleration and uses less fuel. Explain these changes.
