Railroad Car: Man's Weight Affects Velocity Change

In summary, the weight of a person inside a railroad car affects its velocity change due to the principle of inertia. A person's weight can slow down a moving car and also affect its safety if not distributed evenly. There is no ideal weight for passengers, but it is important to avoid overloading the car. The weight of multiple people can have a greater impact on the car's velocity change and proper weight distribution is important to avoid imbalances.
  • #1
skiboka33
59
0
?? railroad car

doesnt make sense... here goes...

A railroad car of weight W can roll without friction along a straight horizontal track. A man od weight w is standing on the acr which is moving at a speed of V1. Prove that change in v = w(v1 + Vrel)/W if Vrel is the speed of the man moving off the left end relative to the car. (car is going right, man is going left) thanks!
 
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  • #2
Conservation of momentum

Use conservation of momentum.
 
  • #3


This statement is discussing the relationship between the weight of a man standing on a railroad car and the resulting change in velocity of the car. It is stated that the car is initially moving at a speed of V1, and the man is standing on the car and moving off the left end with a relative speed of Vrel. The formula provided in the statement, change in v = w(v1 + Vrel)/W, suggests that the change in velocity of the car is directly proportional to the weight of the man and the relative speed between the man and the car. This means that the heavier the man is, and the faster he is moving off the left end, the greater the change in velocity of the car will be. This is because the man's weight and movement will create a force on the car, causing it to accelerate or decelerate. Therefore, the weight of the man does have an impact on the velocity change of the railroad car.
 

1. How does a person's weight affect the velocity change of a railroad car?

The weight of a person inside a railroad car affects the velocity change of the car because of the principle of inertia. The more mass an object has, the more force is needed to change its velocity. In this case, the person's weight adds to the total mass of the railroad car, making it harder to change its velocity.

2. Can a person's weight slow down a moving railroad car?

Yes, a person's weight can slow down a moving railroad car. As mentioned before, the weight adds to the total mass of the car, making it more difficult to change its velocity. This means that if the car is moving at a constant speed, the added weight of a person will require more force to maintain that speed, potentially slowing it down.

3. How can a person's weight affect the safety of a railroad car?

A person's weight can affect the safety of a railroad car in several ways. If the car is traveling at high speeds and a person suddenly moves inside, their weight can cause the car to shift, potentially causing a derailment. Additionally, if the car is overloaded with excess weight, it can put strain on the tracks and increase the risk of accidents.

4. Is there an ideal weight for passengers in a railroad car?

There is no ideal weight for passengers in a railroad car, as long as the total weight does not exceed the car's capacity. However, it is important for passengers to evenly distribute their weight to avoid imbalances and potential safety hazards.

5. How can a railroad car's velocity change be affected by the weight of multiple people?

The weight of multiple people inside a railroad car can have a greater impact on the car's velocity change compared to the weight of a single person. This is because the total mass of the car is increased by the combined weight of all passengers, making it more difficult to change its velocity. Additionally, if the passengers are not evenly distributed, it can create imbalances and affect the car's movement.

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