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 `32 cm` to `15 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.051N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The mass is `m=4kg`

The velocity is `v=0.06ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.32m`

and

`r_2=0.15m`

The variation in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=4*0.06^2/0.32=0.045N`

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

`DeltaF=0.096-0.045=0.051N`