A model train with a mass of #3 kg# is moving along a track at #8 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #5 cm# to #24 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Feb 17, 2018

The change in centripetal force is #0.304N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train #m=3kg#

The velocity of the train is #v=0.08ms^-1#

The radii of the tracks are

#r_1=0.05m#

and

#r_2=0.24m#

The variation in the centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

The centripetal forces are

#||F_1||=3*0.08^2/0.05=0.384N#

#||F_2||=3*0.08^2/0.24=0.08N#

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.384-0.08=0.304N#