Question

A model train with a mass of `9 kg` is moving along a track at `18 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `36 cm` to `35 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.023N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The mass is of the train `m=9kg`

The velocity of the train is `v=0.18ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.36m`

and

`r_2=0.35m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=9*0.18^2/0.36=0.833N`

`F_2=9*0.18^2/0.35=0.81N`

`DeltaF=F_1-F_2=0.833-0.81=0.023N`