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?

1 Answer
Feb 9, 2018

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#