Understanding Forces in a Train System

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the calculation of forces within a train system consisting of an 8000 kg engine and five 2000 kg wagons, with an acceleration of 2 m/s². Participants explore how to determine the force exerted by wagon 1 on wagon 2, emphasizing the application of Newton's Third Law and the need for separate equations for different bodies in the system. The conversation highlights the importance of identifying net forces acting on each component, clarifying that the force exerted by the engine and wagon 1 must be analyzed separately from the forces acting on the subsequent wagons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Newton's Second Law of Motion
  • Newton's Third Law of Motion
  • Basic principles of force and acceleration
  • Understanding of mass and net force calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Newton's laws in multi-body systems
  • Learn how to create free body diagrams (FBDs) for complex systems
  • Explore the concept of net force and its calculation in various scenarios
  • Investigate the dynamics of train systems and the forces involved in their operation
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of forces in multi-body systems, particularly in transportation systems like trains.

  • #31
but the net force is created by the engine...everywhere...so the acceleration due to net force should be the same everywhere...isn't it?
 
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  • #32
AakashPandita said:
but the net force is created by the engine...everywhere...so the acceleration due to net force should be the same everywhere...isn't it?
Yes, the acceleration is the same everywhere.
 
  • #33
Aakash, F = ma and E - F = Ma …

does that mean anything to you? :wink:​
 
  • #34
and the net force too?
 
  • #35
AakashPandita said:
and the net force too?
The 'thing' you set equal to 'ma' is always the net force.

For the four wagons, the net force is simply F (since that's the only force acting).

For the engine and wagon 1, the net force is E - F.
 
  • #36
what is E over here?
 
  • #37
AakashPandita said:
what is E over here?

Aakash, what do you think it is? :rolleyes:

Look at what Doc Al :smile: and I have already said.

What is it likely to be?

What sort of thing is it?

You have to do some work. :redface:​
 
  • #38
Is E= mass of wagon2+3+4+5 x acceleration?
 
  • #39
AakashPandita said:
Is E= mass of wagon2+3+4+5 x acceleration?

Aakash, never mind (for the moment) what E is equal to.

The question was, what is E ?

(ie what are we talking about)
 
  • #40
the net force on the engine+wagon1
 
  • #41
AakashPandita said:
the net force on the engine+wagon1

Aakashm, are you reading what we have been saying? …
Doc Al said:
For the engine and wagon 1, the net force is E - F.

Again, what do you think E is? :redface:
 
  • #42
the force exerted by the engine?
 
  • #43
AakashPandita said:
the force exerted by the engine?
Once again, the forces on 'engine + wagon 1' are:

E = the force of the tracks on the engine (which acts in the forward direction)
F = the force from wagon 2 (which acts towards the rear)
 

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