A bicycle wheel,a hollow sphere,and a solid sphere each have the same mass and radius.They each rotate about an axis through their centers.Which has the greatest moment of inertia and which has the least?
A)The wheel has the greatest; the solid sphere has the least.
B)The wheel has the greatest; the hollow sphere has the least.
C)The hollow sphere has the greatest; the solid sphere has the least.
D)The hollow sphere has the greatest; the wheel has the least.
E)The solid sphere has the greatest; the hollow sphere has the least.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The moment of inertia depends on the mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation. The wheel, with most of its mass far from the axis, has the greatest moment of inertia. The solid sphere, with mass distributed closer to the axis, has the least.

A Bicycle Wheel,a Hollow Sphere,and a Solid Sphere Each Have