Question

A model train with a mass of `1 kg` is moving along a track at `24 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `72 cm` to `150 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.0416N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

`m=mass=1kg`

`v=0.24ms^-1`

The variation in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

`F_1=1*0.24^2/0.72=N`

`F_2=1*0.24^2/1.5=N`

`DeltaF=0.08-0.0384=0.0416N`