In: Physics
Suppose you have a bar with two balls (masses) attached to it. These balls can be positioned and secured at any location along the length of the bar. If the axis of rotation is through the middle of the bar (and perpendicular to its long axis), which of the following makes for the smallest moment of inertia? Suppose you have a bar with two balls (masses) attached to it. These balls can be positioned and secured at any location along the length of the bar. If the axis of rotation is through the middle of the bar (and perpendicular to its long axis), which of the following makes for the smallest moment of inertia?
1. both masses between the center and the ends of the bar, one on each side of the center
2. one mass at each end of the bar
3. Both masses as close as to the middle as possible
4. one mass on one end of the bar the other at the middle