A freight train consists of 4 engines at the front, followed by 40 rail cars. Bo

Question

A freight train consists of 4 engines at the front, followed by 40 rail cars. Both the engines and rail cars have the same mass of 466473 kilograms each. Each engine exerts the same force backward on the track to push the train forward. The total force of friction on the entire train is 742972 Newtons and is evenly distributed among all of the cars and engines. Even with this friction present, the train engines are able to accelerate the train at 0.073 meters/second2. What is the magnitude of the force in Newtons in the coupling between the engine and the first rail car?

Explanation / Answer

Total mass = (466473× 44) kg [ 40 rail cars and 4 engines]

M = 20524812 kg.

Fnet = Ma= (20524812)(0.073)= 1498311.28 N

Let F be the force in the coupling between the engine and the first rail car .

The friction force is given as f= 742972 N

Hence F = 1498311.28- 742972 = 755399.28 N

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