The problem involves a train on a 1% grade incline that accelerates uniformly until it reaches level track, with a braking force applied. Participants are exploring the dynamics of motion on an incline and the effects of forces acting on the train.
The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the adequacy of the given information and exploring different approaches to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of equations of motion and conservation of energy, but no consensus has been reached on how to proceed given the missing data.
Participants note the absence of specific details such as the mass of the train, the length of the incline, and the time spent on the incline, which are critical for solving the problem. There is also a mention of the braking force and its impact on the motion of the train.
scottdave said:What equations can you use, for something rolling down an incline? Do they tell you the mass of the train?
We don't seem to be told either the length of the incline or the time spent thereon, so even if we knew the mass all we would have for the first part is the initial speed and acceleration. Not enough to find the speed at the bottom.scottdave said:If there was no braking force, you could use equations of motion.
You could also use Conservation of Energy. Are you familiar with these?
It is rarely helpful to find the angle in these questions. Usually you only know and only want trig functions of the angle, and those can be converted one to another easily.Girn261 said:Tan -1 (.01) = .57 degrees
haruspex said:We don't seem to be told either the length of the incline or the time spent thereon, so even if we knew the mass all we would have for the first part is the initial speed and acceleration. Not enough to find the speed at the bottom.