Q. When the temperature of a rod increases from $t$ to $t + \mathrm{\Delta}t,$ its moment of inertia increases from $I$ to $I + \mathrm{\Delta}I.$ If $\alpha$ be the coefficient of linear expansion of the rod, then the value of $\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}I}{I}$ is

A) $2\alpha\mathrm{\Delta}t$
B) $\alpha\mathrm{\Delta}t$
C) $\frac{\alpha\mathrm{\Delta}t}{2}$
D) $\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}t}{\alpha}$
Explanation

(a) Moment of inertia of a rod,
$I = \frac{1}{12}ML^{2}$ $\ldots(i)$
Where $M$ is the mass of the rod and $L$ is the length of the rod
$\therefore\mathrm{\Delta}I = \frac{1}{12}2ML\mathrm{\Delta}L\ (\because M\ is\ a\ constant)$ $\ldots(ii)$
Divide (ii) by (i), we get
$\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}I}{I} = 2\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}L}{L}$ $\ldots(iii)$
As $\mathrm{\Delta}L = L\ \alpha\mathrm{\Delta}t$
Or $\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}L}{L} = \alpha\mathrm{\Delta}t$
Substituting the value of $\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}L}{L}$ in (iii), we get
$\frac{\mathrm{\Delta}I}{I} = 2\alpha\mathrm{\Delta}t$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.