Question

8000 kg engine pulls a train of 5 wagons, each of 2000 kg, along a horizontal track. If the engine exerts a force of 40000 N and the track offers a friction force of 5000 N, then calculate the net accelerating force

Answer 1

The net force of engine on total mass of train is 35000 N

The net acceleration is 1.944 m/s²

Step-by-step explanation:

Here we have;

Mass of each wagon of train = 2000 kg

Number of wagons = 5

Total mass of wagons = 5 × 2000 = 10000 kg

Mass of engine = 8000 kg

Total mass, m of train (engine plus wagons) = 10000 + 8000 = 18000 kg

Force exerted by train = 40000 N

Friction force due to the railway track = 5000 N

Net force, F of engine on total mass of train = 40000 - 5000 = 35000 N

Formula for force, F = Mass, m × Acceleration, a

35, 000 = 18,000 × a

a = 35,000/18,000 = 35/18 m/s²

`a = 1\tfrac{17}{18} \ m/s^2`

The net acceleration = 1.944 m/s².