Finding Moment of Inertia for Solids: Sphere, Cylinder & Cone

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the moments of inertia for a solid sphere, a cylindrical shell, and a solid circular cone, all with constant density ρ. The moments of inertia are derived about the axis of symmetry for each object, with specific formulas provided for each shape. The discussion also explores conditions under which these objects have equal moments of inertia, leading to the determination of height (h) and mass (M) for the cone. Additionally, it concludes that under these conditions, the sphere is heavier than the cone.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of moment of inertia concepts
  • Familiarity with solid geometry (sphere, cylinder, cone)
  • Knowledge of calculus, particularly integration
  • Basic vector calculus, including conservative vector fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of moments of inertia for various geometric shapes
  • Learn about the properties of conservative vector fields and potential functions
  • Explore the application of integration techniques in physics
  • Investigate the relationship between mass, density, and volume in solid objects
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, engineering, and mathematics who are involved in mechanics, particularly those focusing on rotational dynamics and solid mechanics.

richatomar
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question 1 The vector field F(x, y, z) = 2xi + 2yey2+z j +(ey2+z + cos z) k is conservative. Find a
corresponding potential function.

* e raise to power (Y square +z)

Question 2
Consider a solid sphere of radius R, a cylindrical shell of outer radius R, inner radius a,
and height h, and a solid circular cone of radius R and mass M. All three objects have
the same constant density ρ.
(a) Find the moments of inertia about the axis of symmetry for all three objects.
(b) Suppose the objects have the same moments of inertia. Find h and M.
(c) Given the assumptions in part (b), which is heavier, the cone or the sphere?
 
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richatomar said:
question 1 The vector field F(x, y, z) = 2xi + 2yey2+z j +(ey2+z + cos z) k is conservative. Find acorresponding potential function.

* e raise to power (Y square +z)
Better would be e^(y^2+ z). Best would be e^{y^2+ z} using "Latex":
https://www.latex-tutorial.com/tutorials/

Now, why have you not at least tried to do this yourself? Do know what a "potential function" is? If you do then it looks pretty straight forward to me. If you have tried this, please show what you did so that we can make comments on it.

Question 2
Consider a solid sphere of radius R, a cylindrical shell of outer radius R, inner radius a,and height h, and a solid circular cone of radius R and mass M. All three objects have
the same constant density ρ.
(a) Find the moments of inertia about the axis of symmetry for all three objects.
(b) Suppose the objects have the same moments of inertia. Find h and M.
(c) Given the assumptions in part (b), which is heavier, the cone or the sphere?
Do you know what "axis of symmertry" and "moment of inertia" mean?
 
richatomar said:
question 1 The vector field F(x, y, z) = 2xi + 2yey2+z j +(ey2+z + cos z) k is conservative. Find a
corresponding potential function.

* e raise to power (Y square +z)

Question 2
Consider a solid sphere of radius R, a cylindrical shell of outer radius R, inner radius a,
and height h, and a solid circular cone of radius R and mass M. All three objects have
the same constant density ρ.
(a) Find the moments of inertia about the axis of symmetry for all three objects.
(b) Suppose the objects have the same moments of inertia. Find h and M.
(c) Given the assumptions in part (b), which is heavier, the cone or the sphere?

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathbf{F} = 2\,x\,\mathbf{i} + \left( 2\,y\,\mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} \right) \,\mathbf{j} + \left[ \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} + \cos{(z)} \right] \,\mathbf{k} \end{align*}$

For $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \phi \left( x, y, z \right) \end{align*}$ to be a scalar potential function of $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathbf{F} \end{align*}$, we require $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \nabla \phi = \mathbf{F} \end{align*}$, so $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x} = F_i, \, \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y} = F_j \end{align*}$ and $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial z} = F_k \end{align*}$. Thus

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial x} &= 2\,x \\ \phi &= \int{ 2\,x\,\partial x } \\ \phi &= x^2 + f\left( y, z \right) \\ \\ \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial y} &= 2\,y\,\mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} \\ \phi &= \int{ \left( 2\,y\,\mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} \right) \,\partial y } \\ \phi &= \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} + g\left( x, z \right) \\ \\ \frac{\partial \phi}{\partial z} &= \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} + \cos{(z)} \\ \phi &= \int{ \left[ \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} + \cos{(z)} \right] \,\partial z } \\ \phi &= \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} + \sin{(z)} + h\left( x, y \right) \end{align*}$

So comparing all the pieces we can see from the three integrals (which all are ways of writing $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \phi \left( x, y, z \right) \end{align*}$, we can see that it has to have the terms $\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^2, \, \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} \end{align*}$ and $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \sin{(z)} \end{align*}$, thus

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \phi \left( x, y, z \right) = x^2 + \mathrm{e}^{y^2 + z} + \sin{(z)} + C \end{align*}$.
 

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