A truck of mass 2.1 × 10³ kg tows a car of mass 1.3 × 10³ kg along a horizontal road - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 24 - 2022 - Paper 1

The net force acting on the system can be determined using Newton's second law:

$$F_{net} = ext{Total mass} imes ext{acceleration} = 3.4 imes 10^3 ext{ kg} imes 2.3 ext{ m/s}^2 = 7820 ext{ N}$$

The tension in the tow rope can be found by considering the resistive forces acting on the car:

$$T = F_{net} + F_{resistive} = 7820 ext{ N} + 1100 ext{ N} = 8920 ext{ N}$$

However, checking the options given:

• A: 3000 N
• B: 4100 N
• C: 7800 N
• D: 8900 N

The closest option, considering rounding effects, is D: 8900 N.