A model train with a mass of #1 kg# is moving along a track at #6 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #12 cm# to #9 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Feb 13, 2018

The change in the centripetal force is #=0.01N#

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=0.06ms^-1#

The radii of the tracks are

#r_1=0.12m#

and

#r_2=0.09m#

The variation in the centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

The centripetal forces are

#||F_1||=1*0.06^2/0.12=0.03N#

#||F_2||=1*0.06^2/0.09=0.04N#

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.04-0.03=0.01N#