A train consists of a 4300-kg locomotive pulling two loaded boxcars. The first b

Question

A train consists of a 4300-kg locomotive pulling two loaded boxcars. The first boxcar (just behind the locomotive) has a mass of 12,700 kg and the second (the car in the back) has a mass of 16,300 kg. Presume that the boxcar wheels roll without friction and ignore aerodynamics. The acceleration of the train is 0.287 m/s^2.

(a) With what force, in Newtons, do the boxcars pull on each other? _____ N ( ± 200 N)

(b) With what force do the locomotive and first boxcar pull on each other? _____ N ( ± 200 N)

(c) With what force must the tracks push on the locomotive? _____N ( ± 200 N)

Explanation / Answer

let the force between the locomotive and the first boxcar be T1 and between the two boxcars be T2

the acceleration of the train is 0.287 m/s2

writing the force equations we have

T1 = 4300*0.287 = 1234.1 N

T2 - T1 = 12700*0.287

T2 = T1 + 12700*0.287 = 4879 N

a) 1234.1 N

b) 4879 N

c) force with which the track pushes = weight of the total system = (4300+12700+16300)*0.8 = 326340 N

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