A model train with a mass of 4 kg is moving along a track at 21 (cm)/s. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of 42 cm to 90 cm, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Nov 26, 2017

The centripetal force changes by =0.224N

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

F=(mv^2)/r

The mass is m=4kg

The velocity is v=0.21ms^-1

The radii are

r_1=0.42m

and

r_2=0.9m

The variation in centripetal force is

DeltaF=F_2-F_1

The centripetal forces are

F_1=4*0.21^2/0.42=0.42N

F_2=4*0.21^2/0.9=0.196N

DeltaF=0.42-0.196=0.224N