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A solid sphere of mass M and radius R is rotating around an axis that is tangent to the sphere (see figure below). What is the rotational inertia of the sphere in this scenario in terms of M and R?

I =?

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Final answer:

The moment of inertia of a solid sphere rotating around an axis that is tangent to the sphere is MR², where M is the mass of the sphere and R is its radius.

Step-by-step explanation:

The moment of inertia, also known as rotational inertia, of a solid sphere rotating around an axis tangent to the sphere can be calculated using the formula MR², where M is the mass of the sphere and R is its radius.

For example, if the mass of the sphere is 2 kg and its radius is 0.5 meters, the moment of inertia would be (2 kg) x (0.5 meters)² = 0.5 kg·m².

User Dovid
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Final answer:

Rotational inertia is the property of an object that can rotate along some axis. The rotational inertia of a solid sphere rotating around an axis tangent to the sphere can be calculated using the moment of inertia formula for a solid sphere: I = (2/5) * M * R^2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rotational inertia of a solid sphere rotating around an axis tangent to the sphere can be calculated using the moment of inertia formula for a solid sphere.

The moment of inertia of the sphere is given by the formula I = (2/5) * M * R^2, where M is the mass of the sphere and R is the radius of the sphere.

User Sapan Diwakar
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