An 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 (a) the net accelerating force (b) the acceleration of the train (c)the force of wagon 1 on wagon 2.

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

The net accelerating force is 35000 N, the acceleration of the train is 1.944 m/s2 and the force of wagon 1 on wagon 2 is 15552 N. Steps to calculate (a) the net accelerating force (b) the acceleration of the train (c) the force of wagon 1 on wagon 2.

Step 1: It is given that

Total number of wagons n = 5

Mass of engine M = 8000 kg

Mass of each wagon m = 2000 kg

The frictional force of the tracks f = 5000 N

Force exerted by the engine F = 40000 N

Table of content

1. An 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 (a) the net accelerating force (b) the acceleration of the train (c)the force of wagon 1 on wagon 2.

Step 2: Now we have to find the net force

Consequently, the train’s net accelerating force can be expressed as

Fnet = F – f

Substituting the values we get

= 40000 – 5000

On simplifying we get

= 35000 N

Step 3: Now we have to calculate the Acceleration of the train

The total mass of the train is

mt = M + nm

Substituting we get

= 8000 + 5 x 2000

On simplifying we get

= 18000 kg

Consider as the acceleration of the train

The net force is

Fnet = mt a

On rearranging we get

a = Fnet/mt

a = 35000/18000

a = 1.944 m/s2

Step 4: Now, force is applied between wagons 1 and 2

The force applied to wagon 2 by wagon 1 is

F21 = 4ma

= 4 x 2000 kg x 1.944 m/s2

= 15552 N

Summary: