Question

A model train with a mass of `4 kg` is moving along a track at `9 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `180 cm` to `63 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The centripetal force changes by `0.028N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The change in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=(mv^2)/(Delta r)`

So,

`DeltaF=(4*0.09^2)/(1.8-0.63)=0.0324/1.17N`

`=0.028N`