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 `36 cm` to `45 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.018N`

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=0.09ms^-1`

The radii of the tracks are

`r_1=0.36m`

and

`r_2=0.45m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`||F_1||=4*0.09^2/0.36=0.09N`

`||F_2||=4*0.09^2/0.45=0.072N`

`DeltaF=F_1-F_2=0.09-0.072=0.018N`