Moment of inertia drop and rotational kinetic energy – Rankers Physics
Topic: Rotational Motion
Subtopic: Rotational Kinetic Energy

Moment of inertia drop and rotational kinetic energy

If moment of inertia of a spinning object drops to \( \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^{\text{th}} \) of its initial value, the ratio of new rotational kinetic energy to initial rotational kinetic energy will be (Assume net external torque about the axis of rotation is zero)
1 : 4
4 : 1
2 : 1
1 : 2

Solution:

Under zero external torque, angular momentum is conserved: \( I_1 \omega_1 = I_2 \omega_2 \). If \( I_2 = I_1/4 \), then \( \omega_2 = 4\omega_1 \). The ratio of kinetic energy is \( \frac{K_2}{K_1} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}I_2\omega_2^2}{\frac{1}{2}I_1\omega_1^2} = \frac{1}{4} \times 16 = 4 \implies 4 : 1 \).

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