Newton's Laws for Systems of Particles - Example Problem 5.7-2

 

A 2000-kg pickup truck is pulling a series of two trailers as shown. The first trailer has a mass of 900-kg and the second trailer has a mass of 400 kg. If the traction force being generated at the road-tire interface of the front-wheel drive truck is 25000 N, determine the acceleration of the system as well as the forces in each of the two couplings. Rolling resistance at the wheels may be neglected.

 

 

Given:

• m_T = 2000 kg
• m₁ = 900 kg
• m₂ = 400 kg
• F = 25000 N

 

Find:

• a
• F_H1
• F_H2

 

Video solution:

 

The following video walks you through the solution to this problem. It is suggested that you try solving the problem first and then, if you have difficulties with the solution, watch the video for help.

 

 

 

Interactive solution:

 

Draw a free-body diagram of the system as a whole and then of each body making up the system.

 

 

 

 

What is the acceleration of the system?

 

a = m/s²