A model train with a mass of 8 kg8kg is moving along a track at 12 (cm)/s12cms. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of 48 cm48cm to 120 cm120cm, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

1 Answer
Apr 7, 2017

The centripetal force changes by =0.144N=0.144N

Explanation:

The centripetal force is

F=(mv^2)/rF=mv2r

mass, m=8kgm=8kg

speed, v=0.12ms^-1v=0.12ms1

radius, =r=r

The variation in centripetal force is

DeltaF=F_2-F_1

F_1=8*0.12^2/0.48=0.24N

F_2=8*0.12^2/1.20=0.096N

DeltaF=0.24-0.096=0.144N