A model train, with a mass of #16 kg#, is moving on a circular track with a radius of #3 m#. If the train's kinetic energy changes from #15 j# to #9 j#, by how much will the centripetal force applied by the tracks change by?

Question

1167 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2017-03-23T14:45:11

The centripetal force changes by #=4N#

The centripetal force is

#F=(mv^2)/r#

The kinetic energy is

#KE=1/2mv^2#

The variation of kinetic energy is

#Delta KE=1/2mv^2-1/2m u^2#

#=1/2m(v^2-u^2)#

The variation of centripetal force is

#DeltaF=m/r(v^2-u^2)#

#DeltaF=2m/r1/2(v^2-u^2)#

#=(2)/r*1/2m(v^2-u^2)#

#=(2)/r*Delta KE#

#=2/3*(15-9)N#

#=4N#