Two identical merry-go-rounds are loaded up with equal amounts of mass. On merry-go-round A, the mass is placed in the center, while the mass is placed near the edges of merry-go-round B. The merry-go-rounds are pushed with equal forces, and merry-go-round A ends up moving with a greater angular velocity. Why?
Merry-go-round B has more inertia.
Merry-go-round A has more inertia.
Merry-go-round B has a greater moment of inertia.
Merry-go-round A has a greater moment of inertia.
Merry-go-round B has a greater moment of inertia.
The moment of inertia of an object is a measure of how mass is distributed around an axis of rotation. When the mass is placed near the edges of merry-go-round B, it increases the moment of inertia compared to merry-go-round A where the mass is concentrated in the center. This means that merry-go-round B requires more torque (force) to achieve the same angular acceleration as merry-go-round A. Thus, merry-go-round A ends up moving with a greater angular velocity under the same force, as it has a lower moment of inertia.