How to calculate the moment of inertia of a bar with two masses on it?

[Davidllerenav]

Homework Statement

A bar of length $L$, width $a$ and mass $M$ revolves around its center, with 2 cylinders of radio $r$ and mass $m$ anchored to each of its ends at a distance d from the center of the bar. Considering the parallel axes theorem, determine the moment of inertia of this system.

Relevant Equations

$I=\int r^2dm$

I first tried to calculate the moment of inertia of the bar. The problem is that I don't understand exactly how are the dimensions of the bar. The fact that it has a width $a$ means that its height is $a$, or that it has an unknown height and the width is $a$, like a parallelepiped? After that I must calculate the moment of inertia of the cylinders with respect to the axis, right? so I can apply the Steiner theorem. The moment of inertia of the cylinders with respecto to their own center of mass is ##\frac{1}{2}mr^2, right? Now, how do I calculate the moment of inertia of the bar in ordder to apply the Steiner theorem?

 

[PeroK]

If you assume that the width is into the page, then that is going to get complicated. It's difficult to tell whether that's what's intended.

But, I think you knew that already.

 

[haruspex]

The fact that it has a width a means that its height is a, or that it has an unknown height and the width is a

Since you are given the mass, not the density, the height will not affect the MoI. So it is safe to assume it is horizontal width (into the page). It's not much more complicated than a simple thin rod.
Do you know the formula for the MoI of a rectangle about an axis normal to its plane?

 

[Davidllerenav]

Since you are given the mass, not the density, the height will not affect the MoI.

Yes, I tried to do it that way and I ended up with the same result as it was an one-dimensional bar.

Do you know the formula for the MoI of a rectangle about an axis normal to its plane?

No, I don't. But I looked on internet, and it is $\frac {1}{12}M(L^2+a^2)$.

 

[PeroK]

Yes, I tried to do it that way and I ended up with the same result as it was an one-dimensional bar.

No, I don't. But I looked on internet, and it is $\frac {1}{2}M(L^2+a^2)$.

I guess you just use that and, as a separate exercise, derive it if you want to.

It's a nice result. There must be a neat way to prove it. I'll bet @haruspex knows, but he may have gone to bed!

PS I think I see how to do it. It should be:

$\frac {1}{12}M(L^2+a^2)$

 

[Davidllerenav]

I guess you just use that and, as a separate exercise, derive it if you want to.

It's a nice result. There must be a neat way to prove it. I'll bet @haruspex knows, but he may have gone to bed!

I'll try to prove it.

PS I think I see how to do it. It should be:
$\frac {1}{12}M(L^2+a^2)$

Yes, you're right, sorry. What should I do next? How do I use the Steiner theorem in this?

 

[PeroK]

I'll try to prove it.

Yes, you're right, sorry. What should I do next? How do I use the Steiner theorem in this?

Model the bar as a collection of thin bars spread out across its width and integrate?

 

[Davidllerenav]

Model the bar as a collection of thin bars spread out across its width and integrate?

But wouldn't that give me the momenr of inertia of the bar?

 

[PeroK]

But wouldn't that give me the momenr of inertia of the bar?

If you do it correctly it should give you the MoI of a rectangle.

 

[Davidllerenav]

If you do it correctly it should give you the MoI of a rectangle.

I should end up with $\frac {1}{12}M (L^2+a^2)$, right?

 

[PeroK]

I should end up with $\frac {1}{12}M (L^2+a^2)$, right?

Yes.

 

[Davidllerenav]

Yes.

Ok, once I get that I need to use the Steiner theorem to calculate the moment of inertia of the cylinder with respect to the bar axis, right?

 

[PeroK]

Ok, once I get that I need to use the Steiner theorem to calculate the moment of inertia of the cylinder with respect to the bar axis, right?

The Steiner theorem might be useful before then.

 

[Davidllerenav]

The Steiner theorem might be useful before then.

Where?

 

[PeroK]

You've got to do some of the thinking for yourself!

 

[Davidllerenav]

You've got to do some of the thinking for yourself!

I don't know where thw theorem is useful before, but I calculaged the moment of unertia of the cylinder with respect to the center of mass of the bar like this: $I=I_C+md^2=\frac{1}{2}mr^2+md^2$, thus the moment of inertia of the whole body is $I_T=\frac {1}{12}M (L^2+a^2)+2 (\frac{1}{2}mr^2+md^2)=\frac {1}{12}M (L^2+a^2)+mr^2+2md^2$. Am I correct?

 

[haruspex]

I guess you just use that and, as a separate exercise, derive it if you want to.

It's a nice result. There must be a neat way to prove it. I'll bet @haruspex knows, but he may have gone to bed!

PS I think I see how to do it. It should be:

$\frac {1}{12}M(L^2+a^2)$

With origin at centre of rectangle, an element dm at (x,y) has MoI dmr²=dmx²+dmy². So the x and y parts can be integrated separately.

 

[Davidllerenav]

With origin at centre of rectangle, an element dm at (x,y) has MoI mr²=mx²+my². So the x and y parts can be integrated separately.

Can you explain a bit more? How do you get $mx^2$ and $my^2$?

 

[haruspex]

Can you explain a bit more? How do you get $mx^2$ and $my^2$?

Pythagoras; $r^2=x^2+y^2$.

 

[Davidllerenav]

Pythagoras; $r^2=x^2+y^2$.

So $x$ and $y$ are the sides of the rectangle adn $r$ is the diagonal?

 

[haruspex]

So $x$ and $y$ are the sides of the rectangle adn $r$ is the diagonal?

Yes. If the coordinates of the element are (x,y) then the element is distance r from the centre, so distance r from the axis normal to the plane through the centre. So its MoI about the axis is dm r².

 

[Davidllerenav]

Yes. If the coordinates of the element are (x,y) then the element is distance r from the centre, so distance r from the axis normal to the plane through the centre. So its MoI about the axis is dm r².

I'm not sure that I understand. Is there some picture?

 

[haruspex]

I'm not sure that I understand. Is there some picture?

Draw a rectangle centred at the origin, this being the axis of rotation.
Mark an element (small patch) at coordinates (x,y). Let its distance from the origin be r.

If the element has mass m, what is its MoI about the axis?
What is r² in terms of x and y?

 

[Davidllerenav]

Draw a rectangle centred at the origin, this being the axis of rotation.
Mark an element (small patch) at coordinates (x,y). Let its distance from the origin be r.

If the element has mass m, what is its MoI about the axis?
What is r² in terms of x and y?

The hypotenuse.

 

[haruspex]

The hypotenuse.

I mean algebraically.