The moment of inertia of thehuman body about an axis through its center of mass is importantin the application of biomechanics to sports such as diving and gymnastics. We can measure thebody’s moment of inertia in aparticular position while a personremains in that position on ahorizontal turntable, with the body’scenter of mass on the turntable’s rotationalaxis. The turntable with theperson on it is then accelerated fromrest by a torque that is produced byusing a rope wound around a pulleyon the shaft of the turntable. Fromthe measured tension in the rope andthe angular acceleration, we can calculatethe body’s moment of inertiaabout an axis through its center of mass.If the body’s center of mass were not placed on the rotational axis of the turntable, how would the person’s measured moment of inertia compare to the moment of inertia for rotation about the center of mass? (a) The measured moment of inertia would be too large; (b) the measured moment of inertia would be too small; (c) the two moments of inertia would be the same; (d) it depends on where the body’s center of mass is placed relative to the center of the turntable.

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter10: Rotational Motion
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 38P
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The moment of inertia of the
human body about an axis through its center of mass is important
in the application of biomechanics to sports such as diving and gymnastics. We can measure the
body’s moment of inertia in a
particular position while a person
remains in that position on a
horizontal turntable, with the body’s
center of mass on the turntable’s rotational
axis. The turntable with the
person on it is then accelerated from
rest by a torque that is produced by
using a rope wound around a pulley
on the shaft of the turntable. From
the measured tension in the rope and
the angular acceleration, we can calculate
the body’s moment of inertia
about an axis through its center of mass.If the body’s center of mass were not placed on the rotational
axis of the turntable, how would the person’s measured moment of inertia
compare to the moment of inertia for rotation about the center of
mass? (a) The measured moment of inertia would be too large; (b) the
measured moment of inertia would be too small; (c) the two moments
of inertia would be the same; (d) it depends on where the body’s center
of mass is placed relative to the center of the turntable.

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