A wheel (radius = 12 cm) is mounted on a frictionless, horizontal axle that is perpendicular to the wheel and passes through the centre of mass of the wheel. A light cord wrapped around the wheel supports a 0.40-kg object. If released from rest with the string taut, the object is observed to fall with a downward acceleration of 3.0 m/s2. What is the moment of inertia (of the wheel) about the given axle? A)0.023 kg.m² B)0.013 kg.m² C)0.020 kg.m² D)0.016 kg.m² E)0.035 kg.m²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The net torque on the wheel is equal to the tension in the cord times the radius of the wheel. Using Newton's second law for rotation and the linear acceleration of the object, we can solve for the moment of inertia.

A Wheel (Radius = 12 Cm) Is Mounted on a Frictionless