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 #32 cm# to #15 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Dec 7, 2017

The change in centripetal force is #=0.051N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

#F=(mv^2)/r#

The mass is #m=4kg#

The velocity is #v=0.06ms^-1#

The radii are

#r_1=0.32m#

and

#r_2=0.15m#

The variation in centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

The centripetal forces are

#F_1=4*0.06^2/0.32=0.045N#

#F_2=4*0.06^2/0.15=0.096N#

#DeltaF=0.096-0.045=0.051N#