Moment of inertia of an irregularly shaped object

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the moment of inertia of an irregularly shaped object, specifically in the context of an experimental setup that includes a mass, a cord, and a turntable. The original poster attempts to derive a formula for the moment of inertia based on the motion of the mass and its relationship to the turntable.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various algebraic manipulations of the moment of inertia formula and question the correctness of their steps. The original poster expresses uncertainty about achieving the expected result, while others suggest dividing terms to simplify the expression.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different algebraic approaches and questioning the validity of their calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding simplification, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct path forward.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the relationship between the variables involved in the formula, and participants are examining the assumptions made in their calculations. The original poster's reference to a specific expected outcome indicates a potential constraint in the problem setup.

UrbanXrisis
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This problem describes one experimental method of determining the moment of inertia of an irregularly shaped objectt such as the payload for a satelite. http://home.earthlink.net/~suburban-xrisis/clip2.jpg shows a mass m suspended by a cord wound around a spool of radius r, forming part of a turntable supporting the object. When the mass is released from rest, it descends through a distance h, acquiring a speed v. Show that the moment of inertia I of the equptment (including the turntable) is [tex]mr^2(2gh/v^2-1)[/tex].

here's what I tried, by using this fromula I found in the book:
[tex]v=(\frac{2mgh}{m+\frac{I}{r^2}})^{1/2}[/tex]

[tex]v^2(m+\frac{I}{r^2})=2mgh[/tex]

[tex]v^2m+\frac{v^2I}{r^2}=2mgh[/tex]

[tex]\frac{v^2I}{r^2}=2mgh-v^2m[/tex]

[tex]v^2I=2ghmr^2-v^2mr^2[/tex]

[tex]I=\frac{mr^2(2gh-v^2)}{v^2}[/tex]

I'm not sure how to get the right answer.
 
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Divide each of the terms in the bracket by v^2.
 
[tex]I=\frac{mr^2(2gh-v^2)}{v^2}[/tex]

[tex]I=\frac{mr^2}{v^2}*(\frac{2gh}{v^2}-1)[/tex]

[tex]I=\frac{2ghmr^2}{v^4}-\frac{mr^2}{v^2}[/tex]

[tex]I=\frac{mr^22gh-mr^2v^2}{v^4}[/tex]

[tex]I=mr^2\frac{2gh-v^2}{v^4}[/tex]

[tex]I=mr^2\frac{2gh}{v^4}-\frac{1}{2}[/tex]

This does not equal
[tex]mr^2\frac{2gh}{v^2}-1[/tex]

what did I do wrong?
 
[tex]I=\frac{mr^2(2gh-v^2)}{v^2}[/tex]

[tex]I=mr^2 * \frac{2gh-v^2}{v^2}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{2gh-v^2}{v^2} = \frac{2gh}{v^2} - 1[/tex]

[tex]I=mr^2(\frac{2gh}{v^2} - 1)[/tex]
 

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