Question

A model train with a mass of `8 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 change in centripetal force is `=0.067N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The mass is `m=8kg`

The velocity is `v=0.09ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=1.80m`

and

`r_2=0.63m`

The variation in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=8*0.09^2/1.8=0.036N`

`F_2=8*0.09^2/0.63=0.103N`

`DeltaF=0.103-0.036=0.067N`