Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Answer, and give a reason.
Moment of inertia: . Ring ; disc ; rod about its middle; solid sphere . Parallel axes: . Flat bodies: .
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Plan. : mass far from the axis counts most.
Step 1. (a) The hollow sphere ( against ): all its mass is at the outside.
Step 2. (b) Putting the mass at the rim gives the largest for that mass, so the flywheel stores more energy, , and resists changes in speed better.
Step 3. (c) The pole raises the walker's moment of inertia about the rope. A wobble then turns her more slowly, giving her time to correct it.
Answer: (a) The hollow sphere. (b) To get the most for the mass. (c) It makes her harder to tip over quickly.
Watch out. A bigger does not stop rotation; it makes the angular acceleration from a given torque smaller.
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