Question

A model train with a mass of `2 kg` is moving along a track at `15 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `9 cm` to `12 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.125N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

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

The velocity of the train is `v=0.15ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.09m`

and

`r_2=0.12m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=2*0.15^2/0.09=0.5N`

`F_2=2*0.15^2/0.12=0.375N`

`DeltaF=F_1-F_2=0.5-0.375=0.125N`