Question

A model train with a mass of `3 kg` is moving along a track at `16 (cm)/s`. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of `8 cm` to `32 cm`, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

The change in centripetal force is `=0.72N`

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

`F=(mv^2)/r`

`m=mass=3kg`

`v=0.16ms^-1`

The variation in centripetal force is

`DeltaF=F_2-F_1`

`F_1=3*0.16^2/0.08=0.96N`

`F_2=3*0.16^2/0.32=0.24N`

`DeltaF=0.96-0.24=0.72N`