A model train with a mass of #2 kg# is moving along a track at #6 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #12 cm# to #8 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Apr 2, 2018

The change in centripetal force is #=0.03N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train #m=2kg#

The velocity of the train is #v=0.06ms^-1#

The radii of the tracks are

#r_1=0.12m#

and

#r_2=0.08m#

The variation in the centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

The centripetal forces are

#||F_1||=2*0.06^2/0.12=0.06N#

#||F_2||=2*0.06^2/0.08=0.09N#

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.09-0.06=0.03N#