Question

A model train with a mass of `1 kg` is moving along a track at `24 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `72 cm` to `180 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.048N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train `m=1kg`

The velocity of the train is `v=0.24ms^-1`

The radii of the tracks are

`r_1=0.72m`

and

`r_2=1.80m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`||F_1||=1*0.24^2/0.72=0.08N`

`||F_2||=1*0.24^2/1.80=0.032N`

`DeltaF=F_1-F_2=0.08-0.0032=0.048N`