About what axis would a uniform cube have its minimum rotational inertia? (A) Any axis passing through the center of the cube and the center of one face (B) Any axis passing through the center of the cube and the center of one edge (C) Any axis passing through the center of the cube and one vertex (a diagonal) (D) A uniform cube has the same rotational inertia for any axis of rotation through its center.

							
The cube has minimum rotational inertia about the axis which corresponds to closer mass distribution. One can simplify the problem by considering each face of mass m , and located at its center of mass. The figure below shows the cube rotating about the given three axis of rotation: one passing of cube and center of face, one passing through center of cube and center of one edge through center, and one passing through center of cube and the center of one of vertices,


It can be seen from the figure above that the mass distribution is closer to the axis passing through the center of cube and one of the vertices. Therefore, the rotational inertia of the cube will be minimum for this case, and (C) will be the correct option.

						

							Dear Student,
Please find below the solution to your problem.

The moment of Inertia will be minimum about an axis passing through its diagonals.
This is because in this case most of the mass of the cube will lie closest to the axis of rotation which means that the moment of inertia will be least possible.

Thanks and Regards