Expert-level advice on determining forces and acceleration in systems with pulleys
Physics Fun
Solving for acceleration and tension forces in a train
The acceleration of the train is 0.1 m/s^2, which can be calculated using the equation F=ma with the given values of force and mass. This means that the train is moving at a constant velocity since the acceleration is not changing.
To determine the tension in the couplings between the wagons, we need to analyze the forces acting on the train. Since the train is moving at a constant velocity, the force of friction must be equal and opposite to the force of the locomotive. Using the equation F=μmg, we can calculate this force to be 99.8 N (rounded to the nearest hundredth).
Next, we need to find the tension in the couplings between the wagons. Using the equation F=ma, we can calculate this to be 598 N (rounded to the nearest whole number). This force is acting in the opposite direction of the force of friction, which means that the couplings are experiencing a tension force.