A locomotive is pulling 16 freight cars, each of which is loaded with the same amount of weight. The mass of each freight car (with its load) is 37,000 kg. If the train is accelerating at 0.31 m/s2 on a level track, what is the tension in the coupling between the second and third cars

The tension in the coupling between the second and third car is 160580 N

Explanation:

The force exerted on each freight car to provide for its acceleration can be calculated as shown:

Force = mass * acceleration

Force = 37000 * 0.31

Force = 11470 N

Since this is the force needed by one freight cars, and there are a total of 14 cars after the second freight car, we have:

Total force on coupling = Force of each car after coupling

Total force on coupling = 11470 * 14

Total force on coupling = 160580 N

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