Find tension in this train coupling

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the tension in the coupling of a train under two scenarios: with acceleration and at constant velocity. For the first scenario, with an acceleration of 0.020 m/s², the tension is calculated to be 1,600 N, derived from the force equation F = m*a using the mass of the trucks. In the second scenario, when the train moves at constant velocity, the tension is 0 N because there is no acceleration. The calculations are confirmed to be correct, although there is a note about the units of tension needing adjustment. Overall, the thread effectively addresses the physics of train coupling tension under different motion conditions.
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1. Homework Statement [/b

A railway engine of mass 100 tonnes is attahched to a line of trucks of total mass 80 tonnes. assuming there is no resistance to motion find the tension in the coupling between the engine and the leading truck (a) when the train has an acceleration of 0.020 ms/1^2
,(b) is moving at constant velocity. ( 1 tonne = 1.0 x 10^3 kg.)

Homework Equations



F= m*a

The Attempt at a Solution



for part (a) the tension in the coupling would be equal to the force acting on the train since the coupling is a device merely tranfering the force acting on the train to pull the trucks it is linked to. using force = mass * accelleration we can calculate the force of the train to be 80 000 kg *0.02 ms/s^2 which = 1.6 * 10^3 N. for part (b) the force acting on the couple would be 0 N since the velocity is constant there can be no acceleration because accelleration is the rate of change of velocity this implies that the force = 0 N since the acceleration = 0 m/s^2. mass * acceleration = force = 0 N are these answers right
 
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Yes they are right ( except for the units of Tension ).
 
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