Question

A model train with a mass of `6 kg` is moving along a track at `8 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `12 cm` to `16 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.08N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The mass is of the train `m=6kg`

The velocity is `v=0.08ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.12m`

and

`r_2=0.16m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=6*0.08^2/0.12=0.32N`

`F_2=6*0.08^2/0.16=0.24N`

`DeltaF=0.32-0.24=0.08N`