A model train with a mass of 3 kg is moving along a track at 8 (cm)/s. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of 21 cm to 18 cm, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Jul 14, 2017

The change in centripetal force is =0.016N

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

F=(mv^2)/r

mass, m=3kg

speed, v=0.08ms^-1

radius, =(r) m

The variation in centripetal force is

DeltaF=F_2-F_1

F_1=mv^2/r_1=3*0.08^2/0.21=0.091N

F_2=mv^2/r_2=3*0.08^2/0.18=0.107N

DeltaF=0.107-0.091=0.016N