Finding the magnitude of force given acceleration?

In summary, a 2.4 kg toy locomotive is pulling a 1.3 kg caboose with a frictional force of 0.46 N backwards along the track. The train is accelerating forward at 3.1 m/s2. To find the magnitude of the force exerted by the locomotive on the caboose, the formula is f = 1.3*a + .46.
  • #1
disque
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A 2.4 kg toy locomotive is pulling a 1.3 kg caboose. The frictional force of the track on the caboose is 0.46 N backward along the track. If the train is accelerating forward at 3.1 m/s2, what is the magnitude of the force exerted by the locomotive on the caboose




Tried doing 3.7(3.1)+.46=11.93
which equals 12 after sig figs, but it is wrong and I am very confused

Please help, thanks a lot
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF.

The force on the caboose from the locomotive won't involve the mass of the locomotive.

If the caboose is being accelerated then f = 1.3*a + .46 should be the way to find it.
 
  • #3
Alright thanks a lot
Appreciate it
 

1. How do you calculate magnitude of force given acceleration?

To calculate the magnitude of force given acceleration, you can use the formula F=ma, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. Simply multiply the mass by the acceleration to find the magnitude of force.

2. What is the unit of measurement for magnitude of force?

The unit of measurement for magnitude of force is Newtons (N). This unit is derived from the formula F=ma, where the unit for mass is kilograms (kg) and the unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s^2).

3. Can the magnitude of force be negative?

Yes, the magnitude of force can be negative. This typically occurs when the force is acting in the opposite direction of the acceleration. However, when using the formula F=ma, the magnitude of force will always be positive. If the force is negative, it simply means that the force is acting in the opposite direction of the acceleration.

4. How does the magnitude of force affect an object's motion?

The magnitude of force directly affects an object's motion through Newton's Second Law of Motion, which states that the net force on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. The greater the magnitude of force, the greater the acceleration of the object will be. This means that a larger force will cause an object to move faster or change direction more quickly.

5. Are there any other factors that can affect the magnitude of force given acceleration?

Yes, there are other factors that can affect the magnitude of force given acceleration. Some of these factors include friction, air resistance, and the presence of other forces acting on the object. These factors can either increase or decrease the overall magnitude of force on an object and therefore affect its motion.

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