Question

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 `5 cm` to `24 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `0.304N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`vecF_C=(mv^2)/r*vecr`

The mass is of the train `m=3kg`

The velocity of the train is `v=0.08ms^-1`

The radii of the tracks are

`r_1=0.05m`

and

`r_2=0.24m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`||F_1||=3*0.08^2/0.05=0.384N`

`||F_2||=3*0.08^2/0.24=0.08N`

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.384-0.08=0.304N`