University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 9 - Rotation of Rigid Bodies - Problems - Discussion Questions - Page 294: Q9.10

Answer

The flywheel should be shaped like a hoop.

Work Step by Step

The moment of inertia of an object increases as mass is moved to be farther from the axis of rotation. For an object of a given size, the moment of inertia is maximized when all of the mass is as far from the axis as possible, i.e., the flywheel should be shaped like a hoop, with all of the mass at the rim (or as much as possible).
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