A model train with a mass of 3 kg is moving along a track at 16 (cm)/s. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of 12 cm to 32 cm, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
May 5, 2017

The change in centripetal force is =0.4N

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

F=(mv^2)/r

mass, m=3kg

speed, v=0.16ms^-1

radius, =(r) m

The variation in centripetal force is

DeltaF=F_2-F_1

F_1=mv^2/r_1=3*0.16^2/0.12=0.64N

F_2=mv^2/r_2=3*0.16^2/0.32=0.24N

DeltaF=0.64-0.24=0.4N