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A model train with a mass of #3 kg# is moving along a track at #8 (cm)/s#. If the curvature of the track changes from a radius of #12 cm# to #16 cm#, by how much must the centripetal force applied by the tracks change?

Answer 1

Nathan Ashcroft

The change in centripetal force is #=0.04Nm#

Centripetal force is what

#F=(mv^2)/r#

mass, #m=3kg#

speed, #v=0.08ms^-1#

radius, #=r#

The centripetal force fluctuation is

#DeltaF=F_2-F_1#

#F_1=3*0.08^2/0.12=0.16N#

#F_2=3*0.08^2/0.16=0.12N#

#DeltaF=0.16-0.12=0.04N#

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Answer 2

Julia Aguilar

The centripetal force applied by the tracks must increase by 6.25 N.

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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.