Determine the moment of inertia of a bar and disk assembly

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the moment of inertia for a bar and disk assembly, specifically using the formulas for a compound pendulum. The correct moment of inertia for the rod is given by the formula ##I_{rod} = \frac{ml^2}{12}## and for the disk by ##I_{disc} = \frac{mR^2}{2}##. The total moment of inertia was incorrectly calculated as $$I_P = 2.61\, kg \cdot m^2$$ due to errors in applying the parallel axis theorem and confusion over variable definitions. The correct approach involves determining the mass center and applying the parallel axis theorem appropriately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of moment of inertia concepts
  • Familiarity with the parallel axis theorem
  • Knowledge of basic physics formulas for rigid bodies
  • Ability to differentiate between variable definitions in physics equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the parallel axis theorem and its applications in rigid body dynamics
  • Study the derivation of moment of inertia formulas for composite shapes
  • Explore examples of calculating moment of inertia for various geometries
  • Learn about the significance of mass center in rotational dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, mechanical engineering, and anyone involved in the analysis of rotational dynamics and moment of inertia calculations.

TheBigDig
Messages
65
Reaction score
2
Homework Statement
A homogeneous 3kg rod is welded to a homogeneous 2kg disc. Determine it's moment of inertia about the axis L which passes through the object's centre of mass. L is perpendicular to the bar and the disk.
Relevant Equations
## I_x = \int y^2\mathrm{d}A ##
## I_y = \int x^2\mathrm{d}A ##
Q.PNG

I have been given an answer for this but I am struggling to get to that point
$$ANS = 0.430\, kg \cdot m^2$$

So I thought using the moment of inertia of a compound pendulum might work where ##I_{rod} = \frac{ml^2}{12}## and ##I_{disc} = \frac{mR^2}{2}## (##l## is the length of the rod and ##R## is the radius of the disc)
$$ I_P = I_{rod} + M_{rod} \bigg( \frac{S}{2} \bigg)^2 + I_{disc} + M_{disc} (S+R)^2$$
where S is the length of the pendulum

$$ I_P = 0.09 + 1.2 + 0.04 + 2 = 2.61\, kg \cdot m^2$$
Much too large for my purposes.
Not really sure where to go after this. Any help is appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
It looks like you are defining P as the free end of the rod and applying the parallel axis theorem. You forgot to square the L/2, but maybe that's just a typo in writing the thread. And you wrote that your L is the length of "the pendulum', but you mean the length of the rod. It is rather confusing that you switched from the given "l" to "L", when L was already defined as an axis.

Anyway, you are asked for the moment about the mass centre. To get that you need to find where that is and apply the parallel axis theorem in reverse.
 
haruspex said:
It looks like you are defining P as the free end of the rod and applying the parallel axis theorem. You forgot to square the L/2, but maybe that's just a typo in writing the thread. And you wrote that your L is the length of "the pendulum', but you mean the length of the rod. It is rather confusing that you switched from the given "l" to "L", when L was already defined as an axis.

Anyway, you are asked for the moment about the mass centre. To get that you need to find where that is and apply the parallel axis theorem in reverse.
Sorry about that, I changed the post to reflect your corrections. ##l## is for the length of the rod and S is the length of the pendulum now. Thanks for the advice. I'll try giving that a go
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K