A uniform solid cylinder with radius R and length L has moment of inertia \(I_1\) about the axis of the cylinder. A concentric solid cylinder of radius \(R/2\) and length \(L/2\) is carved out of the original cylinder. If \(I_2\) is the moment of inertia of the carved out portion of the cylinder then \(I_1/I_2\) is (Both \(I_1\) and \(I_2\) are about the axis of the cylinder)
Show Hint
Mass scales with volume, so find the mass of the small cylinder first.
Step 1: Mass of carved cylinder
Volume scales as \(r^2 L\). The small cylinder has radius \(\frac R2\) and length \(\frac L2\), so its volume is \(\frac14\times\frac12 = \frac18\) of the original. Its mass is \(\frac M8\).