Related Formula
Iremaining = Itotal - Σ Icut$$I_{\text{remaining}} = I_{\text{total}} - \sum I_{\text{cut}}$$
Parallel axis theorem: I = Icm + md²$I = I_{\text{cm}} + md^2$
Core Logic
Total mass of original disc is M = σ π r²$M = \sigma \pi r^2$.
Two identical smaller discs are removed. From the diagram, each small cut-out disc has radius r' = (r)/(4)$r' = \frac{r}{4}$.
The center of each cut-out disc is at distance d = (3)/(4)r$d = \frac{3}{4}r$ from the main axis A.
Mass of each cut-out disc:
m = σ π ((r)/(4))² = (σ π r²)/(16) = (M)/(16)$$m = \sigma \pi \left(\frac{r}{4}\right)^2 = \frac{\sigma \pi r^2}{16} = \frac{M}{16}$$
Step 1: Moment of Inertia of Total Disc
For the main solid disc about its central axis A:
Itotal = (1)/(2) M r²$$I_{\text{total}} = \frac{1}{2} M r^2$$
Step 2: Moment of Inertia of Cut-out Discs
Using parallel axis theorem for one cut-out disc about axis A:
Icut = (1)/(2) m (r')² + m d²$$I_{\text{cut}} = \frac{1}{2} m (r')^2 + m d^2$$
Icut = (1)/(2) m ((r)/(4))² + m ((3)/(4)r)²$$I_{\text{cut}} = \frac{1}{2} m \left(\frac{r}{4}\right)^2 + m \left(\frac{3}{4}r\right)^2$$
Icut = (mr²)/(32) + (9mr²)/(16) = m r² ( (1 + 18)/(32) ) = (19)/(32) m r²$$I_{\text{cut}} = \frac{mr^2}{32} + \frac{9mr^2}{16} = m r^2 \left( \frac{1 + 18}{32} \right) = \frac{19}{32} m r^2$$
Since there are 2 cut-out discs, the total subtracted inertia is:
Iremoved = 2 × (19)/(32) m r² = (19)/(16) m r²$$I_{\text{removed}} = 2 \times \frac{19}{32} m r^2 = \frac{19}{16} m r^2$$
Step 3: Calculate Final Inertia in Terms of M
Substitute m = (M)/(16)$m = \frac{M}{16}$:
Iremoved = (19)/(16) ( (M)/(16) ) r² = (19)/(256) M r²$$I_{\text{removed}} = \frac{19}{16} \left( \frac{M}{16} \right) r^2 = \frac{19}{256} M r^2$$
Now, subtract from total:
Iremaining = (1)/(2) M r² - (19)/(256) M r²$$I_{\text{remaining}} = \frac{1}{2} M r^2 - \frac{19}{256} M r^2$$
Iremaining = (128 - 19)/(256) M r² = (109)/(256) M r²$$I_{\text{remaining}} = \frac{128 - 19}{256} M r^2 = \frac{109}{256} M r^2$$
Thus, x = 109$x = 109$.
Pattern Recognition
In cavity problems, mass is strictly proportional to area (R²$R^2$). Use parallel axis theorem perfectly on the 'negative mass' segments and subtract.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: System of Particles and Rotational Motion