Why Is the Mass of a Wheel Concentrated on the Rim?

[saravananrame]

A small confusion ! Why is most of the mass of the wheel concentrated on the rim ? I know that it is to increase the moment of inertia , but what is the practical use of doing so ?
Thanks in advance !

 

[SteamKing]

A small confusion ! Why is most of the mass of the wheel concentrated on the rim ? I know that it is to increase the moment of inertia , but what is the practical use of doing so ?
Thanks in advance !

I'm afraid you'll have to be a little more specific here. What type of wheel are we talking about?

 

[saravananrame]

A normal vehicle ( car , bike ) wheel where mass is mostly concentrated on the outer edge ( outer rim ) . I guess the word rim suits here . I mean the outer curved circular thingy !

 

[billy_joule]

A small confusion ! Why is most of the mass of the wheel concentrated on the rim

To support the tire. Try mounting a bicycle tire on spokes..impossible.

I know that it is to increase the moment of inertia

No. that is an unwanted consequence. A high MoI means greater power is required for acceleration.

overall wheel weight has other negative consequences as it increases un-sprung mass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_mass

So generally you want to minimize the wheels weight and MoI.

 

[PJC01]

The moment of inertia of a wheel is a measure of its resistance to changes in rotational motion. It is influenced by the distribution of mass within the wheel, with more mass located further from the center resulting in a higher moment of inertia. In the case of a wheel, most of the mass is concentrated on the rim because it allows for a larger moment of inertia, which has practical applications in various fields such as engineering and physics.

One of the main practical uses of increasing the moment of inertia in a wheel is to improve its stability and control. In vehicles, for example, a larger moment of inertia in the wheels helps to maintain a steady and smooth ride, especially at higher speeds. This is because the larger moment of inertia allows the wheels to resist changes in rotational motion, making them less prone to wobbling or tipping over. This is also important in sports such as cycling and skating, where a larger moment of inertia in the wheels helps to maintain balance and control.

Additionally, a larger moment of inertia can also be useful in energy storage applications. By increasing the moment of inertia, the wheel can store more kinetic energy, which can then be released when needed. This is utilized in devices such as flywheels, which use a spinning wheel to store energy and release it as needed, such as in emergency power systems or in hybrid vehicles.

In summary, the concentration of mass on the rim of a wheel is essential for increasing its moment of inertia, which has practical uses in improving stability, control, and energy storage. It is an important factor to consider in various fields where rotational motion is involved.