How to Find the Final Speed of an Experimental Train?

[xlogit3k]

Homework Statement

In the 1950’s, an experimental train that had
a mass of 22500 kg was powered across a level
track by a jet engine that produced a thrust
of 4.63 × 105 N for a distance of 533 m.
Find the work done on the train.
Answer in units of J.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

My attempted solution was to divide the force by the mass but this didnt work.

 

[collinsmark]

My attempted solution was to divide the force by the mass but this didnt work.

Dividing the force by the mass gives you the acceleration, not the work.

Knowing the acceleration, you could use kinematics to find the final velocity and then calculate kinetic energy. But there is a much easier way.

What is the very definition of work? (Hint: it's a function of force and displacement. )

 

[xlogit3k]

Dividing the force by the mass gives you the acceleration, not the work.

Knowing the acceleration, you could use kinematics to find the final velocity and then calculate kinetic energy. But there is a much easier way.

What is the very definition of work? (Hint: it's a function of force and displacement. )

force x distance right?

 

[collinsmark]

force x distance right?

That's right (well, technically the dot product of force and displacement). And the both force and displacement are given in the problem statement.