Question

A model train with a mass of `9 kg` is moving along a track at `15 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `46 cm` to `35 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The variation in centripetal force is `=0.14N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

`m=mass=9kg`

`v=0.15ms^-1`

The variation in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

`F_1=9*0.15^2/0.46=0.44N`

`F_2=9*0.15^5/0.35=0.58N`

`DeltaF=0.58-0.44=0.14N`