A circular disc of radius R and thickness (R)/(6) has moment of inertia I about an axis passing through its centre perpendicular to its plane. It is melted and recast into a solid sphere. The moment of inertia of the sphere about its diameter is:
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When bodies are reshaped:
Mass conserved ⟹ Volume conserved
Always compare MOI using mass relations.
Step 1: Volume of disc:
Vd=π R²((R)/(6))=(π R³)/(6)
Step 2: Let radius of sphere be a:
(4)/(3)π a³=(π R³)/(6)
⟹ a=(R)/(2)
Step 3: MOI of disc:
Id=(1)/(2)MR²=I
Step 4: MOI of solid sphere about diameter:
Iₛ=(2)/(5)Ma²=(2)/(5)M((R)/(2))²=(1)/(10)MR²
Step 5:
(Iₛ)/(Id)=(1/10)/(1/2)=(1)/(5)
⟹ Iₛ=(I)/(5)