A model train with a mass of #8 kg# is moving along a track at #16 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #21 cm# to #120 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Mar 1, 2017

The change in centripetal force is #=0.71N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

#F=(mv^2)/r#

#m=mass=1kg#

#v=0.16ms^-1#

The variation in centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

#F_1=8*0.16^2/0.21=0.98N#

#F_2=8*0.16^2/1.2=0.17N#

#DeltaF=0.88-0.17=0.71N#