Question

A model train with a mass of `4 kg` is moving along a track at `6 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `25 cm` to `15 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centrpetal force is `=0.0384N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train `m=4kg`

The velocity of the train is `v=0.06ms^-1`

The radii of the tracks are

`r_1=0.25m`

and

`r_2=0.15m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`||F_1||=4*0.06^2/0.25=0.0576N`

`||F_2||=4*0.06^2/0.15=0.096N`

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.096-0.0576=0.0384N`