A 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 force of wagon 1 on wagon 2.

Here given mass of the engine $m_{engine}=8000\ kg$

Mass of each wagon $m_{wagon}=2000\ kg$

No. of wagons $=5$

Exerted force by the engine $F=40000\ N$

Friction offered by the track $f=5000\ N$

Therefore, net force applied $F_{net}=F-f=40000\ N-5000\ N=35000\ N$

Total mass $M_{total}=m_{engine}+m_{wagon}$

Or $M_{total}=8000\ kg+5\times2000\ kg$

Or $M_{total}=8000\ kg+10,000\ kg$

Or $M_{total}=18,000\ kg$

Therefore, acceleration $a=\frac{F_{net}}{M_{total}}$

$=\frac{35,000\ N}{18,000\ kg}$

Or $a=1.944\ m/s^2$

Therefore, the force of wagon 1 on wagon 2$=$force of wagon 2 on wagon 1

$=4\times m_{wagon}\times a$

$=4\times2000\ kg.\times1.944\ m/s^2$

$=15,552\ N$

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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