Final answer:
Devices like derails or wheel chocks must be provided on spur railroad tracks to prevent uncontrolled movement of rail equipment and ensure safety in railway operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option Engineering. On spur railroad tracks, devices must be provided where a rolling car could come into contact with other cars. This is a safety measure to prevent uncontrolled movement of rail equipment, which can cause accidents or impede railway traffic.
The installations may include derails or wheel chocks that help to stop a car from moving further down the track and colliding with other equipment or infrastructure. The provision of such safety mechanisms is crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of railway operations.
Derails are small devices placed on the track that, when engaged, lead the wheels of the railcar off the track before it can collide with other cars or cause damage.
Wheel chocks are wedges of sturdy material placed against the wheels of the vehicle to prevent them from rolling. Both are important for ensuring safety in rail operations and are part of the standard safety equipment for railroads.
The correct answer is option Physics. On spur railroad tracks, it is necessary to provide bumping posts or buffers where rolling cars could contact other cars.
Bumping posts are designed to absorb the impact of a collision and prevent damage to the cars. They are usually made of steel or concrete and are placed at the end of the tracks to act as a barrier and absorb the energy of the moving car.
For example, if a car at the end of a track is not stopped or slowed down by a bumping post, it could collide with other cars and cause a chain reaction or derailment. Bumping posts ensure the safety of the railway system by preventing such accidents.