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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the moment of inertia for a tube, with participants exploring various approaches and definitions related to the topic. The original poster expresses uncertainty about the correct formula and seeks assistance in understanding the concept.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the original poster's attempts to derive a formula based on intuition and examples found online. Questions arise regarding the mathematical definition of moment of inertia and the necessity of a foundational understanding of calculus. Some participants suggest looking up established formulas and integrating concepts from different sources.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various participants providing links to resources and equations. There is a mix of guidance offered, with some participants emphasizing the importance of showing work before receiving direct answers. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the correct formulation of the moment of inertia for the tube.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the original poster may not have a strong physics background, which could affect their understanding of the topic. There is also mention of homework guidelines that restrict providing direct answers without prior work being shown.

chui
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I couldn't find the Moment of inertia of the next tube:

moment.jpg


hope you can help..thnks
 
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What, exactly, did you try to do?
 
I am not a physics student yet, so I don't really know.
By seeing diffrent exempls of moment of inertia I thoght it may be
0.25M(r1^2-r2^2) + 0.25ML^2
But this is only by intuation so I can't actually use it.
please, help me if you can.
 
You will not find the moment of inertia by just guessing. You need a place to start. Do you have a (mathematical) definition for moment of inertia? Have you had any calculus classes? What was the actual assignment?
 
I do'nt think it is an assignment - he wants to build/construct something or work something out without having the necessary Physics background. so either we need to just give hime the answer or direct him to a tutorial.
Chui, start by looking at http://wps.aw.com/aw_young_physics_11. Have a look at Part 1:Mechanics - 7.6 Rotational Inertia.
 
Last edited:
andrevdh

andrevdh rights! (thankyouverymuch)
All I need is the formula, with no other choice, I can develpoe it by myself but it will take time.
I want it for other calculation so I only need a formula.

If anyone know,(or have a book which know) please write it.
thanks.
 
This is the homework section and we're not supposed to "give" the answer without the person showing some work. Otherwise, post in a different section! :)
 
alright, I used Wikipedia, to learn some things with Integration,
but it wasn't enought, I didn't understand too many things yet.
however, I looked here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_moments_of_inertia
and learn the next things:
1) an axis located at the center of a solid cylinder , its MomentumOfInertia should be this:
(1/4)MR^2 + (1/12)ML^2 (number 3 on the list)
2) a Rod with its axis on center its I should be:
(1/12)ML^2 (one befort the last one on the list)
3) a Rod with its axis on the end, like I need, its I should be:
(1/3)ML^2 (the last one on the list)
I put it all together with number 2 in the list to get this:
(1/4)M(R1^2-R2^2) + (1/3)ML^2
I still don't sure if I should put a minus or a plus between R1^2
to R2^2
 
  • #10
It will be [itex]r_1^2 + r_2^2[/itex]. That part of the integration gives [itex]r_1^4-r_2^4[/itex] which factors into [itex](r_1^2-r_2^2)(r_1^2+r_2^2[/itex] and the first factor (minus sign) ultimately gets absorbed into M. I don't have time right now but I need to check on that factor of 1/4.
 
  • #11
i'm sorry I don't mean to change the subject, but how would I show that the Rotational Inertia would be 2/5MR^2 of a uniform sphere about any axis. I tried to first calculate the R.I. of a disk but I am not getting anywhere. . . please help if you can? I just became a memeber today and don't know how to post a new thread and this is the only thread relavent to what I need help with. . .
 
  • #12
bluejay,

You need to integrate the square of the distance from the rotation axis. It looks like this:

[tex]I = 2\pi \rho \int_0^R r^2 dr \int_0^\pi d\theta r^2 \sin^3 \theta[/tex]

where the [itex]2\pi[/itex] if from integrating about the azimuth (based on symmetry). [itex]\rho = \frac {M}{4\pi R^3/3}[/itex] is the mass density. This works out to the desired result.
 

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