A model train with a mass of #4 kg# is moving along a track at #15 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #35 cm# to #12 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Apr 27, 2017

The centripetal force changes by #=0.493N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

#F=(mv^2)/r#

mass, #m=4kg#

speed, #v=0.15ms^-1#

radius, #=r#

The variation in centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

#F_1=mv^2/r_1=4*0.15^2/0.35=0.257N#

#F_2=mv^2/r_2=4*0.15^2/0.12=0.75N#

#DeltaF=0.75-0.257=0.493N#