When an empty freight train mass \[{m_0}\] starts, loading of coal in the train begins at a constant rate \[r\] from a stationary hopper. If the track is horizontal and engine pull \[F\] is constant, deduce expression for speed of the train at a function of time \[t\] . Neglect all resistive forces.
Answer
301.8k+ views
Hint: The mass of the train would be increasing in time due to the coal. We can use Newton's second law to calculate the acceleration of the train.
Formula used: In this solution we will be using the following formulae;
\[F = ma\] where \[F\] is the force acting on a body, \[m\] is the mass of the body, and \[a\] is the acceleration of the body.
\[a = \dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] , where \[v\] is the instantaneous velocity of an accelerating body, and \[t\] is time at which the body has such velocity, \[\dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] signifies instantaneous rate of change of velocity with time.
Complete Step-by-Step solution:
Initially, the freight train was empty with an initial mass of \[{m_0}\] . Now, we are told that freight trains are being loaded with coal at a constant rate of \[r\] (i.e. rate of loading of the mass of coal). Hence, mass after a particular time \[t\] would be
\[m = {m_0} + rt\]
Now, the force said to act on the train is \[F\] and is constant. Hence from newton’s second law, we may write that
\[F = ma\] where \[F\] is the force acting on a body, \[m\] is the mass of the body, and \[a\] is the acceleration of the body
Hence,
\[a = \dfrac{F}{m} = \dfrac{F}{{{m_0} + rt}}\]
But
\[a = \dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] , where \[v\] is the instantaneous velocity of an accelerating body, and \[t\] is time at which the body has such velocity, \[\dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] signifies instantaneous rate of change of velocity with time.
Hence, we have
\[\dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}} = \dfrac{F}{{{m_0} + rt}}\]
Hence, the velocity would be
\[v = \int_0^v {dv} = \int_0^t {\dfrac{F}{{{m_0} + rt}}dt} \]
Hence, by integrating the above we get
\[v = \dfrac{F}{r}\ln \left( {\dfrac{{{m_0} + rt}}{{{m_0}}}} \right)\]
Which is the velocity as a function of time.
Note: For clarity, we get the equation \[m = {m_0} + rt\] through the following reasoning. We are given that the coal was loaded at a constant rate of \[r\] . This Implies that the rate of change of mass of coal is \[r\] as in
\[r = \dfrac{m}{t}\] , hence, the mass after a time \[t\] is
\[{m_c} = rt\] . This would be added to the mass of the empty freight train, hence total mass is
\[m = {m_0} + {m_c} = {m_0} + rt\]
Formula used: In this solution we will be using the following formulae;
\[F = ma\] where \[F\] is the force acting on a body, \[m\] is the mass of the body, and \[a\] is the acceleration of the body.
\[a = \dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] , where \[v\] is the instantaneous velocity of an accelerating body, and \[t\] is time at which the body has such velocity, \[\dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] signifies instantaneous rate of change of velocity with time.
Complete Step-by-Step solution:
Initially, the freight train was empty with an initial mass of \[{m_0}\] . Now, we are told that freight trains are being loaded with coal at a constant rate of \[r\] (i.e. rate of loading of the mass of coal). Hence, mass after a particular time \[t\] would be
\[m = {m_0} + rt\]
Now, the force said to act on the train is \[F\] and is constant. Hence from newton’s second law, we may write that
\[F = ma\] where \[F\] is the force acting on a body, \[m\] is the mass of the body, and \[a\] is the acceleration of the body
Hence,
\[a = \dfrac{F}{m} = \dfrac{F}{{{m_0} + rt}}\]
But
\[a = \dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] , where \[v\] is the instantaneous velocity of an accelerating body, and \[t\] is time at which the body has such velocity, \[\dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}}\] signifies instantaneous rate of change of velocity with time.
Hence, we have
\[\dfrac{{dv}}{{dt}} = \dfrac{F}{{{m_0} + rt}}\]
Hence, the velocity would be
\[v = \int_0^v {dv} = \int_0^t {\dfrac{F}{{{m_0} + rt}}dt} \]
Hence, by integrating the above we get
\[v = \dfrac{F}{r}\ln \left( {\dfrac{{{m_0} + rt}}{{{m_0}}}} \right)\]
Which is the velocity as a function of time.
Note: For clarity, we get the equation \[m = {m_0} + rt\] through the following reasoning. We are given that the coal was loaded at a constant rate of \[r\] . This Implies that the rate of change of mass of coal is \[r\] as in
\[r = \dfrac{m}{t}\] , hence, the mass after a time \[t\] is
\[{m_c} = rt\] . This would be added to the mass of the empty freight train, hence total mass is
\[m = {m_0} + {m_c} = {m_0} + rt\]
Recently Updated Pages
Four persons A B C and D initially at the corners of class 11 physics JEE_Main

What is the difference between Conduction and conv class 11 physics JEE_Main

Moment of inertia of solid sphere about its diameter class 11 physics JEE_Main

If a piece of ice floating on the surface of water class 11 physics JEE_Main

At what temperature speed of sound in air will be doubled class 11 physics JEE_Main

A closed organ pipe and an open organ pipe are tuned class 11 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Other Pages
CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 - Units And Measurements - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units And Measurements - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 Motion In A Straight Line - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

Important Questions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units and Measurement - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 - Motion in a Straight Line - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion In A Plane - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

