Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2006/ii/paper-4/9c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2006 ii Paper 4 9C Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
For a uniform circular cross-section, averaging gives ; for a uniform axial coordinate in , . Symmetry makes the coordinate axes principal axes, since all products of distinct coordinates integrate to zero. Thus the principal moments of inertia about the centre areThe inertia tensor is a scalar multiple of identity exactly when . Thereforeis the height-to-radius ratio for sphere-like rotational inertia; the height-to-diameter ratio is . The geometric shape remains cylindrical, but its angular momentum is parallel to angular velocity for every axis, just as for a sphere.
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