Question

Given the Rotational Inertia equation for a solid sphere (see question 9) and thefollowing equation for a hollow sphere, which sphere would have the greateracceleration if they both have equal mass? Defend your answer.Hollow Sphere Rotational Inertia: I = m r2

Answer 1

The formula for calculating the moment of inertia of a solid sphere is

expressed as

I = 2/5mr^2

where

m is the mass

r is the radius

The formula for calculating the moment of inertia of a hollow sphere is

expressed as

I = 2/3mr^2

By comparing both equatins, we can see that the rotational inertia of the hollow sphere is larger than that of the solid sphere. Recall, inertia is the tendency of a body to resist changes in motion. This means that it is more difficult to speed up the hollow ball or slow down a spinning hollow ball. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Thus, the solid ball would have the greater acceleration