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A model train with a mass of #2 kg# is moving along a track at #36 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #9 cm# to #3 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

Nathan Ashcroft

The change in centripetal force is #=5.76N#

Centripetal force is what

#F=(mv^2)/r#

#m=mass=2kg#

#v=0.36ms^-1#

The centripetal force fluctuation is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

#F_1=2*0.36^2/0.09=2.88N#

#F_2=2*0.36^2/0.03=8.64N#

#DeltaF=8.64-2.88=5.76N#

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Answer 2

Amelia Adams

The centripetal force applied by the tracks must increase by approximately 4 times.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.