Related Formula
Conservation of Angular Momentum (since no external torque acts):
I₁ ω₁ = I₂ ω₂$$I_1 \omega_1 = I_2 \omega_2$$
For a solid sphere, moment of inertia is:
I = (2)/(5)MR²$$I = \frac{2}{5}MR^2$$
Mass scales with volume:
M ∝ R³$M \propto R^3$
Core Logic
When the radius reduces to R₂ = (R)/(2)$R_2 = \frac{R}{2}$, the mass scales cubically:
M₂ = M₁ ((R/2)/(R))³ = (M₁)/(8)$$M_2 = M_1 \left(\frac{R/2}{R}\right)^3 = \frac{M_1}{8}$$
Now, compute the new moment of inertia I₂$I_2$:
I₂ = (2)/(5) M₂ R₂² = (2)/(5) ((M₁)/(8)) ((R)/(2))² = (2)/(5) M₁ R² × (1)/(32) = (I₁)/(32)$$I_2 = \frac{2}{5} M_2 R_2^2 = \frac{2}{5} \left(\frac{M_1}{8}\right) \left(\frac{R}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{2}{5} M_1 R^2 \times \frac{1}{32} = \frac{I_1}{32}$$
Step 1: Compute Final Angular Velocity
Using conservation of angular momentum:
I₁ ω₁ = ((I₁)/(32)) ω₂ ω₂ = 32 ω₁$$I_1 \omega_1 = \left(\frac{I_1}{32}\right) \omega_2 \implies \omega_2 = 32 \omega_1$$
Hence, the value of x$x$ is 32.
Pattern Recognition
Since inertia of a solid sphere scales with M R²$M R^2$ and M ∝ R³$M \propto R^3$, the net moment of inertia scales with R⁵$R^5$. Shrinking the radius by half (1/2$1/2$) cuts down inertia by a factor of (1/2)⁵ = 1/32$(1/2)^5 = 1/32$. Velocity must scale up by 32 to conserve momentum.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Rotational Motion