Answer
The change in potential energy of the box will be converted into rotational kinetic energy of the drum-and-spokes and translational kinetic energy of the box. Since the moment of inertia of the drum-and-spokes is smaller when the balls are moved closer to the center, less energy is required to rotate the drum-and-spokes when the balls are moved closer to the center. Then, more energy can be converted into translational kinetic energy of the box as it falls. Therefore, the box will have more kinetic energy when the balls on the spokes are moved closer to the center. Therefore, the box's speed will be greater than V.
Work Step by Step
The change in potential energy of the box will be converted into rotational kinetic energy of the drum-and-spokes and translational kinetic energy of the box. Since the moment of inertia of the drum-and-spokes is smaller when the balls are moved closer to the center, less energy is required to rotate the drum-and-spokes when the balls are moved closer to the center. Then, more energy can be converted into translational kinetic energy of the box as it falls. Therefore, the box will have more kinetic energy when the balls on the spokes are moved closer to the center. Therefore, the box's speed will be greater than V.
