How Did John Massis Move Two Railroad Cars with His Teeth?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a historical scenario where John Massis moved two railroad cars using his teeth, requiring the application of physics concepts related to forces, acceleration, and motion. The context includes calculating the speed of the cars after being pulled by a force exerted at an angle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of force and acceleration concepts, with one expressing confusion about how to approach the problem. Others suggest drawing a free body diagram and resolving forces into components as potential strategies.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify fundamental concepts related to the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of diagrams and force resolution, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

There appears to be a lack of foundational understanding of vector mechanics among some participants, which may be impacting their ability to engage with the problem effectively.

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Homework Statement


In April 1974, John Massis of Belgium managed to move two passenger railroad cars. He did so by clamping his teeth down on a bit that was attached to the cars with a rope and then leaning backward while pressing his feet against the railway ties. The cars together weighed 700 kN (about 71 tons). Assume that he pulled with a constant force that was 2.5 times his body weight, at an upward angle θ of 33˚ from the horizontal. His mass was 79 kg, and he moved the cars by 3 m. Neglecting any retarding force from the wheel rotation, find the speed of the cars at the end of the pull.

Homework Equations



Fnet = Acceleration * Mass

ax = Fcos(theta)/ M

The Attempt at a Solution


I have absolutely NO idea what to do. The professor didn't go over any problems like this DX Help!
 
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So you have never seen any problems involving a mass being accelerated by a force?
 
Simon Bridge said:
So you have never seen any problems involving a mass being accelerated by a force?
No D:I tried the formula but couldn't find acceleration
 
Try drawing a free body diagram for the situation - what are the forces on the train?
Please show your best attempt so far.
 
copypacer said:
No D:I tried the formula but couldn't find acceleration

And, like trying to solve this problem of yours:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/forces-problem.811390/

you'll also need to resolve some forces into their components.

I can't comment on the quality of your instruction in this subject, but it seems you are lacking knowledge of some very basic concepts in simple vector mechanics. :frown:
 

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