A model train, with a mass of #12 kg#, is moving on a circular track with a radius of #9 m#. If the train's kinetic energy changes from #36 j# to #9 j#, by how much will the centripetal force applied by the tracks change by?

1 Answer
May 9, 2017

The centripetal force changes by #=6N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

#F=(mv^2)/r#

The kinetic energy is

#KE=1/2mv^2#

The variation of kinetic energy is

#Delta KE=1/2mv^2-1/2m u^2#

#=1/2m(v^2-u^2)#

The variation of centripetal force is

#DeltaF=m/r(v^2-u^2)#

#DeltaF=2m/r1/2(v^2-u^2)#

#=(2)/r*1/2m(v^2-u^2)#

#=(2)/r*Delta KE#

#=2/9*(36-9)N#

#=6N#