Question

Three children are sitting on a merry-go-round while a fourth child is pushing on the outside edge with a constant force. Why does it take less time for the fourth child to speed the merry-go-round up if the three other children all sit in the center rather than half way between the center and outside edge?

Answer 1

I the moment of inertia is less if the other children sit in the center

Τ = I α the angular acceleration will be greater for a given torque Τ