Your old toy train from pre-school days consists of three cars: M1 = 0.3 kg, M2

Question

Your old toy train from pre-school days consists of three cars: M1 = 0.3 kg, M2 = 0.4 kg, and M3 = 0.1 kg. You pull the cars with a force F = 3.0 N (red arrow in the picture). The coefficient of kinetic (rolling) friction between all three cars and the ground is k = 0.11. What is the difference in the tensions between the two ropes, FTA - FTB? Give your answer in Newtons to at least three significant digits to avoid rounding errors. Your answer will not be graded on the number of digits you provide.

Explanation / Answer

Total mass = 0.3 + 0.4 + 0.1 = 0.8 kg

Friction = (0.8 * 9.8) * 0.11 = 0.86 N

acceleration Force = F - ff = 3.0 - 0.86 = 2.14 N

a = f / m = 2.14 / 0.8 = 2.675 m/s2

FTA = m a = (0.4 + 0.1) * 2.675 = 1.34 N

FTB = m a = 0.1 * 2.675 = 2.675 N

difference in the tensions between the two ropes

= 1.34 N

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