Question

A model train with a mass of `2 kg` is moving along a track at `2 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `7 cm` to `1 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.0686N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train `m=2kg`

The velocity of the train is `v=0.02ms^-1`

The radii of the tracks are

`r_1=0.07m`

and

`r_2=0.01m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`||F_1||=2*0.02^2/0.07=0.0114N`

`||F_2||=2*0.02^2/0.01=0.08N`

`DeltaF=|F_1-F_2|=0.08-0.0114=0.0686N`