Question

A freight train consists of 2 engines at the front, followed by 24 rail cars. Both the engines and rail cars have the same mass of 709939 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 742021 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 0.061 meters/second2. What is the magnitude of the force in Newtons in the coupling between the engine and the first rail car?

Answer 1

Solution:

Total Mass of Engine:

Total Mass of rail cars:

Total Mass :

Total force of friction:

Magnitude of force for coupling:

or