The engine of a train has a mass of 5x10^4 kg. it can accelerate six railway cars having a total mass of 3x10^5 kg by 0.4 m/s^2 (the 6 railway cars have a combined mass of 3x10^5). what acceleration can the same engine using the same force give to four railway cars having a total mass of 2x10^5kg?

Answer 1

Fe = ma = 3*10^5 * 0.4 = 1.2*10^5N. =
The force exerted by the engine.

a = Fe/m = 1.2*10^5 / 2*10^5 = 0.6m/s^2.