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 #16 cm# to #2 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

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Answer 1 · 2016-04-02T11:34:19

0.35N

We have that:

The centripetal force is given by:

#F = (mv^2)/r#

Thus we can work out the change in centripetal force:

#DeltaF = F_2-F_1=(mv^2)/r_2 -( mv^2)/r_1#

#=((5)(0.04)^2)/0.02-((5)(0.04)^2)/0.16=0.35N#