Displaced Axes Theorem- quick question.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the displaced axis theorem and its application in calculating the moment of inertia tensor. The original poster is exploring the implications of a specific configuration where the center of mass has only an x-component, questioning the resulting matrix elements of the associated matrix A.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand why certain matrix elements of A become zero when the center of mass has only an x-component. They also question how the last term in the expression for A yields a scalar.

Discussion Status

Some participants have engaged with the original poster's questions, clarifying that not all elements of the matrix A are zero and confirming that specific diagonal elements can be non-zero. The conversation appears to be progressing with participants sharing insights and confirming understanding.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the configuration of the center of mass and the nature of the tensors involved, which may affect the interpretation of the results.

binbagsss
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I am using the displaced axis theorem:

\hat{I}=\hat{I}com+M\hat{A}

where \hat{A}can be represented as a matrix, the elements of which are determined by:

A_{\alpha\beta}=|Rc^{2}|δ_{\alpha\beta} - Rc_{\alpha}Rc_{\beta}


I know that it is derived from substituting in rk=rk'+Rc into the definition of the moment of inertia tensor, where rk is the position vector of the of the kth particle of a rigid body from the point at which we are calculating I, Rc is the position vector of the centre of mass of the rigid body.

My question is, that if Rc only has a , x component , say, s.t Rc_{y} and Rc_{z}=0, then , looking at A, I attain 0 for all my matrix elements.

Picturing this, surely this can not be correct? - That \hat{I}=\hat{I}com when computing the moment of inertia about an axis displaced solely in x,y,z from an axis located at the bodies com.

Quick question on a similar note, looking at the expression of A, I am struggling to see how the last term yields a scalar, like the |Rc^{2}|δ_{\alpha\beta}. I know that \alpha and \beta =x,y,z. But aren't Rc,\alpha and Rc,\beta, rank one tensors, so that they are vectors.

Many thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this, greatly appreciated !
 
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anyone?
 
binbagsss said:
if Rc only has a , x component , say, s.t Rc_{y} and Rc_{z}=0, then , looking at A, I attain 0 for all my matrix elements.
that's not true. not all the elements will be zero. it is true that A_{xx} is zero, and any non-diagonal elements are zero.
 
Ohhhh ! I think I see, so considering Ayy and Azz, Ayy=Azz=|Rc^2| ?
 
yep, that's it!
 
thanks a lot.
 
ah, no problem! it's interesting stuff.
 

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