question_answer

Two satellites of equal masses, which can be considered as particles are orbiting the earth at different heights? Will their moments of inertia be same or different?                     

Answer:

                M.I. of a satellite, \[I=M{{r}^{2}}\]i.e., \[I\propto {{r}^{2}}\] Hence the two satellites orbiting the earth at different heights will have different moments of inertia. The satellite orbiting at a larger height will have a larger moment of inertia.