Question

A model train with a mass of `7 kg` is moving along a track at `15 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `32 cm` to `45 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.41N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The mass is of the train `m=7kg`

The velocity is `v=0.15ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.32m`

and

`r_2=0.45m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=7*0.15^2/0.32=0.49N`

`F_2=7*0.15^2/0.45=0.35N`

`DeltaF=0.49-0.35=0.14N`