Question

A model train with a mass of `5 kg` is moving along a track at `4 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `4 cm` to `2 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in ventripetal force is `=0.2N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train `m=5kg`

The velocity of the train is `v=0.04ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.04m`

and

`r_2=0.02m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`||F_1||=5*0.04^2/0.04=0.2N`

`||F_2||=5*0.04^2/0.02=0.4N`

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.4-0.2=0.2N`