A locomotive (engine) pulls a series of wagons. Which is the correct analysis of the situation ?

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The train moves forward because the locomotive pulls forward slightly harder on the wagons than the wagons pull backward on the locomotive

Because action always equals reaction, the locomotive cannot pull the wagons. The wagons pull backward just as hard as the locomotive pulls forward, there is no motion

The locomotive’s force on the wagons is

as strong as the force of the wagons on the locomotive, but the frictional force on the locomotive is forward as large while

the backward frictional force on the wagons is small

The locomotive can pull the wagons forward only if it weighs more than the wagons

answer is C.

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Detailed Solution

The force exerted by the locomotive on the wagons is equal to that exerted by the wagons on the locomotive. The locomotive moves forward because of a forward frictional force exerted by the tracks on its wheel. The backward friction force exerted by the track on the wheels of the wagons is much smaller.

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