A solid sphere A of radius R and mass M is attached at a point to a smaller solid sphere B of radius r < R and mass m < M. Assume that the line joining their centres lies along the horizontal. The moment of inertia of the system calculated about a vertical axis passing through the centre of A is IA and that calculated about a vertical axis passing through the centre of B is IB. The difference IA - IB is: [figure]
- 0
- (M - m)(R + r)2
- (m - M)(R + r)2
- (m - M)(R - r)2
Answer
(3) (m - M)(R + r)2
Solution
Distance between centres of the two spheres is d = R + r.
By the parallel axis theorem:
IA = Icm, A + Icm, B + md2
IB = Icm, B + Icm, A + Md2
Subtracting IB from IA:
IA - IB = md2 - Md2 = (m - M)(R + r)2.
Answer: (3)