Question

A model train with a mass of `4 kg` is moving along a track at `6 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `54 cm` to `27 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.026N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

`m=mass=4kg`

`v=0.06ms^-1`

The variation in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

`F_1=4*0.06^2/0.54=0.027N`

`F_2=4*0.06^2/0.27=0.53N`

`DeltaF=0.053-0.027=0.026N`