Answer:
The acceleration is [tex] a = 0.889 \ m/s^2[/tex]
Explanation:
From the question we are told that
The mass of the engine is [tex]m = 4500 \ kg[/tex]
The mass of each Boxcar is [tex]m_b = 1500 \ kg[/tex]
The tension between the locomotive and boxcar A is [tex]T = 4000 \ N[/tex]
Generally the tension between the locomotive and boxcar A is equivalent to the net force propelling the box cars so the tension is mathematically represented as
[tex]T = F = M* a[/tex]
Here M is the mass of the three box cars
=> [tex] 4000= (3 * 1500)* a[/tex]
=> [tex] a = 0.889 \ m/s^2[/tex]