A model train with a mass of #4 kg# is moving along a track at #18 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #25 cm# to #14 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

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Answer 1 · 2018-07-23T12:08:27

The change in centripetal force is #=0.41N#

The centripetal force is

#vecF_C=(mv^2)/r*vecr#

The mass is of the train #m=4kg#

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

The radii of the tracks are

#r_1=0.25m#

and

#r_2=0.14m#

The variation in the centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

The centripetal forces are

#||F_1||=4*0.18^2/0.25=0.518N#

#||F_2||=4*0.18^2/0.14=0.926N#

#DeltaF=|F_1-F_2|=0.926-0.518=0.41N#