Question

A model train with a mass of `3 kg` is moving along a track at `12 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `5 cm` to `24 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.864N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

The mass is of the train `m=3kg`

The velocity is `v=0.12ms^-1`

The radii are

`r_1=0.05m`

and

`r_2=0.24m`

The variation in the centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

The centripetal forces are

`F_1=3*0.12^2/0.05=0.864N`

`F_2=3*0.12^2/0.24=0.18N`

`DeltaF=0.864-0.18=0.684N`