Question

A 2.6 kg toy locomotive is pulling a 1.7 kg caboose. The frictional force of the track on the caboose is 0.52 N backward along the track. If the train is accelerating forward is 3.1 m/s2, what is the magnitude of the force exerted by the locomotive on the caboose? How would I do this..?

Answer 1

Ftotal = ma = F - f
F = ma + f; m = 1.7 kg, a = 3.1, f = 0.52
F = (1.7*3.1) + 0.52 = 5.79N