Chapter 8 - Rotational Motion and Equilibrium - Learning Path Questions and Exercises - Conceptual Questions - Page 302: 18

If I were the designer of the wheel, I would have kept the overall mass of the wheel smaller with more mass would be near the center of the wheel. The overall smaller mass of the wheel would result in greater linear acceleration as it is inversely proportional to mass of the object and hence, greater translational kinetic energy. Also, the presence of more mass near the center of the wheel would mean greater moment of inertia and hence smaller rotational kinetic energy.

If I were the designer of the wheel, I would have kept the overall mass of the wheel smaller with more mass would be near the center of the wheel. The overall smaller mass of the wheel would result in greater linear acceleration as it is inversely proportional to mass of the object and hence, greater translational kinetic energy. Also, the presence of more mass near the center of the wheel would mean greater moment of inertia and hence smaller rotational kinetic energy.