A model train with a mass of #5 kg# is moving along a track at #4 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #4 cm# to #2 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Feb 3, 2018

The change in ventripetal force is #=0.2N#

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

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

The mass is of the train #m=5kg#

The velocity of the train is #v=0.04ms^-1#

The radii are

#r_1=0.04m#

and

#r_2=0.02m#

The variation in the centripetal force is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

The centripetal forces are

#||F_1||=5*0.04^2/0.04=0.2N#

#||F_2||=5*0.04^2/0.02=0.4N#

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1=0.4-0.2=0.2N#