A model train with a mass of 2 kg is moving along a track at 3 (cm)/s. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of 6 cm to 12 cm, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Jun 11, 2017

The centripetal force changes by =0.015N

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

F=(mv^2)/r

mass, m=2kg

speed, v=0.03ms^-1

radius, =(r) m

The variation in centripetal force is

DeltaF=F_2-F_1

F_1=mv^2/r_1=2*0.03^2/0.06=0.03N

F_2=mv^2/r_2=2*0.03^2/0.12=0.015N

DeltaF=0.03-0.015=0.015N