Four railroad cars, each of mass 2.50 x 104 kg, are coupled together and coasting along horizontal tracks at speed vi toward the south. A very strong but foolish movie actor, riding on the second car, uncouples the front car and gives it a big push, increasing its speed to 4.00 m/s southward. The remaining three cars continue moving south, now at 2.00 m/s. (a) Find the initial speed of the four cars. (b) By how much did the potential energy within the body of the actor change?

University Physics Volume 1
18th Edition
ISBN:9781938168277
Author:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Chapter9: Linear Momentum And Collisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 41P: Two figure skaters are coasting in the same direction, with the leading skater moving at 5.5 m/s and...
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Four railroad cars, each of mass 2.50 x 104 kg, are coupled together and coasting along horizontal tracks at speed vi toward the south. A very strong but foolish movie actor, riding on the second car, uncouples the front car and gives it a big push, increasing its speed to 4.00 m/s southward. The remaining three cars continue moving south, now at 2.00 m/s. (a) Find the initial speed of the four cars. (b) By how much did the potential energy within the body of the actor change? 

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