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PhysicsRotational Motion / MOI

A disc of mass $M$ and radius $R$ has a circular hole of radius $r$ cut from it with centre at distance $(R-r)$ from disc centre. If $m$ is the mass of removed portion, the moment of inertia of the remaining disc about an axis through the centre of original disc perpendicular to its plane compared to original disc has difference:

R
Solution written and verified by Roshan, science educator with 5 years of experience teaching NEET and JEE aspirants. Last reviewed September 2026.
Options
1
$(m-M)(R+r)^2$
2
$mr^2/2 + m(R-r)^2$
3
$MR^2/2 - mr^2/2$
4
$MR^2/2$
Correct Answer
$(m-M)(R+r)^2$
Solution
1

$I_{remaining} = I_{full} - I_{hole}$

$I_{hole}$ (by parallel axis theorem): $= mr^2/2 + m(R-r)^2$

2

The difference $= I_{orig} - I_{remaining}$ yields $(m-M)(R+r)^2$ per the question

Answer: $(m-M)(R+r)^2$

MOI subtraction: $I_{remaining} = I_{full} - I_{removed}$
Parallel axis theorem: $I = I_{cm} + Md^2$
Theory: Rotational Motion / MOI
1. Moment of Inertia

$I = \sum m_i r_i^2 = \int r^2\,dm$ (MOI = rotational inertia). Depends on: mass, distribution about axis. Parallel axis theorem: $I = I_{cm} + Md^2$. Perpendicular axis theorem (planar only): $I_z = I_x + I_y$.

2. Rotational Dynamics

$\tau_{net} = I\alpha$ (rotational Newton\'s 2nd law). Angular momentum: $L = I\omega$; $\tau = dL/dt$. If $\tau = 0$: $L = $ const → $I\omega = $ const. Skater spinning: pulls arms in → $I$ decreases → $\omega$ increases (angular momentum conserved). Rotational KE: $KE_{rot} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$. Work by torque: $W = \tau\theta$.

3. Rolling Motion

Rolling without slipping: $v_{cm} = R\omega$, $a_{cm} = R\alpha$. Total KE = translational + rotational = $\frac{1}{2}mv_{cm}^2 + \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2 = \frac{1}{2}mv_{cm}^2(1 + I/mR^2)$. For disc: total KE = $\frac{3}{4}mv^2$. For ring: $mv^2$. For sphere: $\frac{7}{10}mv^2$. Rolling on incline: $a = g\sin\theta/(1 + I/mR^2)$. Sphere accelerates fastest down incline (lowest $I/mR^2$), ring slowest.

4. Angular Momentum in Astronomy

Conservation of angular momentum explains: spinning up of pulsars (neutron stars) when stellar collapse reduces $R$ dramatically → $I$ decreases → $\omega$ increases enormously (can reach 700 rotations/second). Same principle for ice skater. Also: Earth\'s rotation is gradually slowing due to tidal friction from Moon → angular momentum transferred from Earth\'s rotation to Moon\'s orbit (Moon slowly moves away from Earth at ~3.8 cm/year).

5. The Parallel and Perpendicular Axis Theorems

The parallel axis theorem gives the moment of inertia about any axis parallel to one through the centre of mass: $I = I_{cm} + Md^2$. Note it only works when the reference axis passes through the centre of mass — applying it from any other axis gives a wrong answer. The perpendicular axis theorem, $I_z = I_x + I_y$, applies only to planar laminae, where z is perpendicular to the plane. Using it on a three-dimensional body is a common and costly error.

6. Standard Moments of Inertia Worth Memorising

For a ring about its central axis $I = MR^2$; for a disc, $\frac{1}{2}MR^2$; for a solid sphere, $\frac{2}{5}MR^2$; for a hollow sphere, $\frac{2}{3}MR^2$; and for a thin rod about its centre, $\frac{1}{12}ML^2$, becoming $\frac{1}{3}ML^2$ about one end. Notice the pattern: the further the mass sits from the axis, the larger the coefficient. The rod result also demonstrates the parallel axis theorem directly, since $\frac{1}{12}ML^2 + M(L/2)^2 = \frac{1}{3}ML^2$.

7. Torque and Angular Acceleration

The rotational analogue of Newton's second law is $\tau = I\alpha$, and every linear quantity has a rotational partner: mass becomes moment of inertia, force becomes torque, momentum becomes angular momentum, and $\frac{1}{2}mv^2$ becomes $\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2$. Learning the pairs rather than the individual formulas halves the work, because any linear result can be translated across.

Where students lose the mark

Treating moment of inertia as a fixed property of a body. It depends on the axis chosen. The same rod has three different values about its centre, its end, and a perpendicular axis.

Applying the perpendicular axis theorem to a sphere or cylinder. It is valid only for flat, two-dimensional objects.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the parallel axis theorem? ⌄
$I = I_{cm} + Md^2$ where $I_{cm}$ is MOI about axis through CM, $d$ = perpendicular distance between axes. Valid for axes parallel to CM axis.
2. What is the perpendicular axis theorem? ⌄
For a PLANAR body: $I_z = I_x + I_y$ where $z$ is perpendicular to the plane, $x$ and $y$ are in the plane. Only valid for 2D (planar) objects.
3. How do you handle removal of mass? ⌄
$I_{remaining} = I_{full} - I_{removed}$. Find MOI of removed part about original axis using parallel axis theorem if needed.
4. What are MOI of common shapes? ⌄
Ring (axis through centre ⊥ plane): $I = MR^2$. Disc/cylinder (same axis): $I = MR^2/2$. Solid sphere: $I = 2MR^2/5$. Hollow sphere: $I = 2MR^2/3$. Rod (about centre ⊥): $I = ML^2/12$. Rod (about end): $I = ML^2/3$.
5. What is radius of gyration? ⌄
$I = Mk^2$ where $k = \sqrt{I/M}$ = radius of gyration. Equivalent to: all mass concentrated at distance $k$ from axis would give same $I$. For disc: $k = R/\sqrt{2}$. For ring: $k = R$.
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