Moment of inertia Definition and 1000 Threads

The moment of inertia, otherwise known as the mass moment of inertia, angular mass, second moment of mass, or most accurately, rotational inertia, of a rigid body is a quantity that determines the torque needed for a desired angular acceleration about a rotational axis, akin to how mass determines the force needed for a desired acceleration. It depends on the body's mass distribution and the axis chosen, with larger moments requiring more torque to change the body's rate of rotation.
It is an extensive (additive) property: for a point mass the moment of inertia is simply the mass times the square of the perpendicular distance to the axis of rotation. The moment of inertia of a rigid composite system is the sum of the moments of inertia of its component subsystems (all taken about the same axis). Its simplest definition is the second moment of mass with respect to distance from an axis.
For bodies constrained to rotate in a plane, only their moment of inertia about an axis perpendicular to the plane, a scalar value, matters. For bodies free to rotate in three dimensions, their moments can be described by a symmetric 3 × 3 matrix, with a set of mutually perpendicular principal axes for which this matrix is diagonal and torques around the axes act independently of each other.

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  1. P

    Moment of inertia and rotational kinetic energy prob

    Homework Statement A spool of wire mass m and radius r is unwound under a constant force F. Assuming that the spool is a uniform solid cylinder that does not slip, show that the acceleration of the center of the mass is 4F/3m Homework Equations F+f=ma f=ma-F \tau =I\alpha=Fr-fr...
  2. H

    Pulley problem with moment of inertia

    Homework Statement A 28.5 kg block (m1) is on a horizontal surface, connected to a 6.10 kg block (m2) by a massless string. The frictionless pulley has a s R = 0.087 m and a moment of inertia I=0.140 kgm2. A force F = 231.3 N acts on m1 at an angle theta = 30.5°. There is no friction between...
  3. H

    What is the Moment of Inertia for a Solid Door?

    Homework Statement A solid door of mass 25.40 kg is 2.31 m high, 1.48 m wide, and 2.58 cm thick. What is the moment of inertia of the door about the axis through its hinges? Homework Equations I=(1/12)m(a^2 + b^2) + mr^2 (parallel axis theorem) The Attempt at a Solution I...
  4. R

    Moment of Inertia of Rod w/ Masses M, m1, & m2

    Homework Statement Find the moment of inertia of a rod with mass M, that has a mass m1, L/2 to the left of the axis of rotation and a mass m2, L/4 to the right of the axis of rotation. L is the length of the entire rod? Not sure what to do. My professor said that I had to use the parallel...
  5. C

    How Do You Calculate the Moment of Inertia of a Hollow Sphere?

    Homework Statement Calculate the moment of inertia of a spherical shell (i.e. hollow sphere) of uniform surface density about an axis passing through its center. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Integral ( r^2 * dm) Integral (r^2 * p * dV) ... where p=density p * Integral (r^2 *...
  6. T

    Disk moment of inertia example.

    A disk, cylinder shaped, of mass m and radius r is initially motionless on an ice rink. It has a massless string wound around it which you pull with a constant force F. After your hand has moved a distance d. How far has the c.m. of the disk moved? If someone could show me how I could do this...
  7. A

    Interpretation of Moment of Inertia Tensor in generalized coordinates

    I've been wondering what the interpretation of the moment of inertia tensor in generalized coordinates is, and whether there is a way to derive it from first principles, similar to the integration we do in a Cartesian coordinate system. Specifically, I've been given the inertia matrix for a...
  8. A

    Moment of Inertia of a rigid rotating object.

    Homework Statement Two small masses are attached to a massless rod of length 2.36 m as shown. Mass M1 is 2.53 kg and mass M2 is 5.16 kg. A) What is the distance, x, from mass M1 to the centre of mass of this system? B) What is the moment of inertia of this system about an axis that passes...
  9. J

    Is r in the Moment of Inertia Formula Always the Shortest Distance?

    for "r" in mr^2 is it the shortest distance? (consider a square with point mass at the corners connected by rods, r is closer if you take the diagonal height rather than the rod distance.)
  10. K

    Physical Pendulum and moment of inertia

    A physics student measures the period of a physical pendulum about one pivot point to be T. Then he finds another pivot point on the opposite side of the center of mass that gives the same period. The two points are separated by a distance L. Can he find the acceleration due to gravity, g...
  11. K

    Moment of Inertia of a rod at an angle

    A rod has mass M and length L. Calculate the moment of inertia of the rod about an axis which is passing through its center of mass and forming an angle \theta to the rod. I drew a diagram on an xy-plane where the rod is on the x-axis and the center of the rod is at the origin. Chopping the rod...
  12. B

    Moment of inertia of speed governor

    Homework Statement I need to derive an expression for the moment of inertia of the two masses at the ends of the arms of a speed governor Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution The equation for the moment of inertia of a system of particles rotating about a given axis is...
  13. G

    Moment of inertia of a cylinder

    I have been deriving the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder and have got this far: I=∫ r2 dm and dm=dv *density h=height r=radius \rho=density To get to the correct I=1/2mr2. you need to make dv=2\pirh dr why isn't it dv= dv=\pir2h as in volume=cross-sectional area*height
  14. S

    Can anyone help me answer these moment of inertia questions please?

    The question says: Imagine a solid disk, made of uniform material, a radius R and thickness L. What is the ratio of L/R if the moment of inertia of this disk about the axis passing through the center and perpendicular to the plane of the disk is the same as the moment of inertia about the axis...
  15. Z

    Moment of Inertia - equilateral triangle

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9484/fp5.gif to find the moment of inertia through point A Homework Equations I = \int{r^2dm}The Attempt at a Solution Used a double integral from point A: \displaystyle\int_{0}^{h}\displaystyle\int_{-L/2}^{L/2}\rho(x^2+y^2)dxdy =...
  16. R

    How Do You Calculate the Moment of Inertia for a Cone?

    Homework Statement A cone with height h and radius R. The radius R is located at the top of the cone. We have to find moment of inertia of the cone. The disc has a radius r, height of dz, and is located z below the circular surface with radius R. Homework Equations dI = \frac{1}{2}\ dm\ r^2...
  17. D

    What is the moment of inertia of the pendulum

    Homework Statement A pendulum constructed of a solid sphere, bar, and block, each with mass m=4 kg The sphere has radius R, The bar attaches the block and sphere and has length 2R, and the block has a center of mass R away from the end of the bar. The axis of rotation is halfway between the...
  18. H

    Angular Kinematics & Moment of Inertia: IforPointM

    Homework Statement Four point masses are arranged on the xy plane as follows. Mass1 = 27.0 grams at x = 2.00 cm and y = 2.00 cm. Mass2 = 31.0 grams at x = 0.00 cm and y = 4.00 cm. Mass3 = 49.0 grams at x = -3.00 cm and y = -3.00 cm. Mass4 = 31.0 grams at x = -1.00 cm and y = 2.00...
  19. R

    What is the Moment of Inertia for a Hollow Torus?

    I would like to know the formula for Moment of inertia for horizontal rotation of circular tube(i.e wheel) of mass 65kg, wheel dia=2m, tube dia=0.1m.
  20. P

    Moment of Inertia and Angular Velocity

    Homework Statement A student hold a 2.0 kg textbook to their chest as they spin at an angular velocity of 6 rad/sec. Assuming the mass moment of inertia of the student to be 1.4 kgm^2, what is the angular velocity if the student hold the book 0.7 meters awayHomework Equations The Attempt at a...
  21. P

    Does Moment of Inertia Determine Mass?

    Homework Statement If two objects have the same moment of inertia, they must have the same mass. The Attempt at a Solution I think it's false but I can't figure out why.
  22. S

    Moment of Inertia (not through symmetry axis)

    Homework Statement What is the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder (of mass 8.41kg and radius 7.5cm) rotating about an axis parallel to the symmetry axis but passing through the edge of the cylinder?Homework Equations I=.5mr2, but how does this change when the axis is passing through the edge...
  23. R

    Moment of Inertia of a turntable

    Homework Statement A uniform circular turntable of mass 2m and radius R is at rest in space. Koko throws a lump of putty of mass m and speed v toward the edge of the turntable so that it sticks at the extreme edge of the turntable at R. Using conservation of L, show that the angular...
  24. E

    Moment of Inertia Lab for discs of mass

    Homework Statement We recently had a Physics lab where we were expected to find a relationship between the moment of inertia and discs of varying radius (discs have same mass), and develop a general equation to illustrate the relationship between moment of inertia and radius for discs of any...
  25. M

    Finding Moment of Inertia - Rigid Rod Plus Disc System

    Homework Statement Consider a rigid rod-plus-disc system Find the moment of inertia of the pendulum as it freely rotates about the point P. The rod has a length 0.62 m, and the disc has a radius half that. The pivot at P is a fourth of the way from the end of the rod. The rod has a mass of...
  26. T

    Moment of Inertia of a grinding wheel

    Homework Statement A grinding wheel is initially at rest. A constant external torque of 52.5 N· m is applied to the wheel for 18.4 s, giving the wheel an angular speed of 605 rev/min. The external torque is then removed, and the wheel comes to rest 101 s later. Find the moment of inertia of...
  27. F

    Moment of Inertia of a Right Triangle

    Homework Statement A metal sign for a car dealership is a thin, uniform right triangle with base length b and height h. The sign has mass m. What is the moment of inertia of the sign for rotation about the side of length h? Homework Equations I = \intr^{2}dm The Attempt...
  28. J

    What is the moment of inertia of the object

    Homework Statement An object is formed by attaching a uniform, thin rod with a mass of mr = 6.94 kg and length L = 5.56 m to a uniform sphere with mass ms = 34.7 kg and radius R = 1.39 m. Note ms = 5mr and L = 4R. What is the moment of inertia of the object about an axis at the right edge...
  29. T

    Solving a Figure Skater's Moment of Inertia

    Homework Statement A 45.8 kg figure skater is spinning on the toes of her skates at 1.18 rpm. Her arms are outstretched as far as they will go. In this orientation, the skater can be modeled as a cylindrical torso (41.3 kg, 18.6 cm average diameter, 167.0 cm tall) plus two rod-like arms...
  30. H

    Moment of Inertia of an object rotating about its center of mass?

    Moment of Inertia of an object rotating about its center of mass?? Homework Statement An object is formed by attaching a uniform, thin rod with a mass of m = 6 kg and length L = 4 m to a uniform sphere with mass M = 30 kg and radius R = 1 m. What is the moment of inertia of the object about...
  31. M

    Use work/energy throem to derive an expression for moment of inertia?

    Homework Statement Today I had a physics lab. It involved a hanging mass on a string that hung off the table. It went through a pulley and the string was then spooled around a rotating spool on the table. We first measure the radius of the spool. Then we figured out the mass it took to...
  32. P

    Calculating Moment of Inertia help

    How to Calculate Moment of Inertia for a flat rectangular plate of length 'l' & width 'w' with axis of rotation along the width 'w' (the axis of rotation is parrallel to edge of width)
  33. B

    Calculating Moment of Inertia for Turbine-Compressor Spool

    Hi guys, just wanted to know how the moment of inertia of a turbine-compressor spool can be calculated. How about starting with the units as stacks of discs of reducing diameter to the fore. And also has anyone any idea of the minimum speed (torque) of a GT4088 turbocharger. I couldn't find it...
  34. T

    Moment of inertia of spherical shell

    Homework Statement Moment of inertia of spherical shell of radius R, mass M along its rotation axis is given by \frac{2}{3}MR^{2} I am trying to calculate thisHomework Equations The Attempt at a Solution This is my attempt but is unsuccessful, since the spherical shell is an assembly of rings...
  35. Z

    What is the moment of inertia of the plate about z axis?

    Homework Statement What is the moment of inertia of the plate about z axis? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Consider the isosceles triangle to be a part of a square of side l/root(2) Its mass will be 2M We know that its moment of inertia about the centre...
  36. C

    Polar moment of inertia for a shaft with slot

    Homework Statement HI Can anyone help me in finding out the polar moment of inertia of a hollow shaft with 3 circular slots . Its used in design of DIVERTERS in oil and gas application. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  37. H

    Moment of Inertia of square based pyramid?

    Homework Statement A regular square pyramid (base length a, height b) is spun about its axis of symmetry z. Calculate its moment of inertia about the z axis Homework Equations volume of pyramid centre of mass The Attempt at a Solution have found volume and centre of mass. I know...
  38. B

    Moment of inertia of a spherical segment

    Homework Statement Am I going about this the right way? There is a sphere of radius 3 and a region that lies between the planes z=1 and z=2 and has a density of cz. We are asked to work in cylindrical coordinates.Homework Equations Let \rho=\sqrt{9-z^2}, is the following the right formula...
  39. R

    HiIf the moment of inertia exist to resist a body to change from its

    Hi If the moment of inertia exist to resist a body to change from its rotational motion and linear inertia exists to resist a body's change from its linear motion, then for a point mass on a rotating body, which inertia does it obey? Thanks.
  40. B

    Moment of Inertia of 2-Spheres Connected by Rod

    Homework Statement What is: Moment of inertia of two solid spheres, radii each r[0], attached by massless rod which is also of length r[0], so that the distance between the two solid spheres' centres is "3*r[0]"? The axis of rotation could either be 1) through both spheres and along the...
  41. G

    Why is moment of inertia varyiing with the square of the radius?

    why is moment of inertia varyiing with the square of the radius?? hello, where ever i search moment of inertia on the web or on textbooks ,it starts with a definition saying that it is the product of mass the square of the radius. my question is why is moment of inertia defined like mass...
  42. T

    A spinning top - moment of inertia/ Torque/ Angular momentum

    Hey guys, I have this really annoying last question on my assignment which is a pain. It combines 3 physics principles together. I am having problems specifically with 2) 3) and 4) 2)I know that T = | r x F |, but what kind of general vector do I use to represent F? 4) I have no...
  43. R

    Moment of Inertia: Constant Velocity in Space Without Friction

    can an object be released in space where there is no friction, to travel with a constant velocity as an force will always produce an acceleration. as moment of inertia says if an object is flying with an velocity say 20m/s, it will continue to do so unless external force is applied.
  44. T

    Calculating Q (first moment of inertia) above and below the neutral axis

    Homework Statement This is the cross sectional are of the shape: http://img38.imageshack.us/i/shapep.jpg/" It's made of 2 10"x1" plates. (Picture is not to scale) Q (first moment of inertia) above and below the neutral axis should be the same. For some reasons, my calculated Q above is...
  45. W

    Ratio of mass moment of inertia to mass

    Hi Thinking about a simple stable wheel at rest on a flat surface with a force applied at the axle parallel to the ground trying to work out the resultant translational force (note: no slipping, static friction is very high, no rolling resistance) I think it is the ratio between the...
  46. N

    Moment of inertia for a hollow cube. Rotating about diagonal opp corners

    Hi Folks, I am designing a piece of kinetic scultpure that will involve cubes made from aluminium square tubing rotating around an axis that passes through two diagonal corners. I am trying to determine motor size to drive this thing, and to do that I need to know its moment of inertia. Math...
  47. F

    Moment of inertia (structural shapes)

    I'm working on a project to replace hollow structures, (pipe, sq. tube, ect...) with open structures, (channels, angle iron, ect...). It's been a while and I think that all I would have to do is compair the moment of inertia for each of these shapes and make sure that they match or are larger...
  48. Y

    Verification of moment of inertia calculation

    I was looking at the moment of inertia list that they have on Wikipedia and noticed that the moment of inertia for a regular polygon was rather complicated. I did the calculation myself and found a significantly simpler result of I = (m/6)(3+tan(pi/n)^2)*R^2: m is the mass of the...
  49. D

    Moment of inertia with triple integrals

    so i have to find the moment of inertia of a solid cone given by the equations z = ar and z = b by using a triple integral. The density of the cone is assumed to be 1. so the integral looks like ∫ ∫ ∫ r^2 dV. so first i did it with dV = rdrdθdz with limits r (from 0 to z/a), θ (from 0 to 2pi)...
  50. M

    Mass Moment of Inertia: slanted solid parallelogram: Well past wit's end

    Perhaps Tensor Calculus holds the answer; but I just can't justify the time for studying that as I know nothing of it. The end objective is to calculate the mass moment of inertia of the yellow solid parallelepiped about rectangular axes through its centre of mass as in the diagram here...
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