A "turnpike double" (TPD) is a specific configuration of a tractor-trailer where the tractor unit pulls two trailers with a length of up to 48 ft each (the size of a shipping container). In this problem we consider a FedEx tractor-trailer where the two trailers have a total mass of M1 = M2 = 30,000 kg each and the tractor unit has a total mass of M0 = 10,000 kg. The entire tractor-trailer departs forward from rest with an acceleration of 2 m/s2 (in the direction of the FedEx arrow, naturally). Denote the tension in the coupling between the tractor unit and the first trailer as T0 and the tension in the coupling between the two trailers as T12. Note: Assume that only the tractor unit is affected by friction. You do not need to use any coefficients of friction for this problem. You only need Newton's laws of motion for this problem. What is the tension T12 in the coupling between the two trailers?
A "turnpike double" (TPD) is a specific configuration of a tractor-trailer where the tractor unit pulls two trailers with a length of up to 48 ft each (the size of a shipping container). In this problem we consider a FedEx tractor-trailer where the two trailers have a total mass of M1 = M2 = 30,000 kg each and the tractor unit has a total mass of M0 = 10,000 kg. The entire tractor-trailer departs forward from rest with an acceleration of 2 m/s2 (in the direction of the FedEx arrow, naturally). Denote the tension in the coupling between the tractor unit and the first trailer as T0 and the tension in the coupling between the two trailers as T12.
Note: Assume that only the tractor unit is affected by friction. You do not need to use any coefficients of friction for this problem. You only need Newton's laws of motion for this problem.
What is the tension T12 in the coupling between the two trailers?
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