Inertia and Wr^2 GD^2 and mr^2

  • Thread starter Thread starter knarl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Inertia
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the units for moments of inertia, specifically in relation to rotating bodies. Participants clarify that common units include kgm² and kgfm², with kgf representing kilogram-force, which relates to gravitational acceleration. The conversation highlights confusion over the variables used in the formulas, particularly the meanings of 'f', 'G', and 'D'. Ultimately, the correct SI unit for moment of inertia is confirmed as kgm², and the importance of torque and angular acceleration in deriving these units is emphasized. The thread concludes with a consensus on the correct interpretation of the units involved.
knarl
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
trying to figure out units for inertia.

am I right in saying some units for inertia are?:

imperial units - not interested (Wr^2)
kgfm^2 (GD^2)
kgm^2 (mr^2)

if so, what is the f and the G and the D?

Thanks for any help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
knarl said:
trying to figure out units for inertia.

am I right in saying some units for inertia are?:

imperial units - not interested (Wr^2)
kgfm^2 (GD^2)
kgm^2 (mr^2)

if so, what is the f and the G and the D?
The units are that of mass: kg, g, lb, oz. Mass is a measure of the inertia of an object - the ratio of force to acceleration. Inertia = f/a = m

AM
 
sorry, I meant moments of intertia. ie for a rotating body. It's just really the f that is putting me off.
 
That's an ancient (b4 1961) unit for force.It's Kgf=Kilogram-force...The gravitational acceleration (average) at the surface of the Earth times 1Kg.That explains G...As for D,i guess it's probably distance (?)...

The last of the 3 units presented is the correct (SI-mKgs) one.

Daniel.
 
knarl said:
sorry, I meant moments of intertia. ie for a rotating body. It's just really the f that is putting me off.
Ok. Just use I = \tau/\alpha.

Since torque is in units of force * distance or Nm, and \alpha is rad/sec^{2}, the units are Nmsec^2 (or kgm^2 since N = kgm/sec^2). As dexter says, kgf is kilograms force which is 1 kg x 9.8m/sec^2.

AM
 
thanks guys, I had a hunch that was what the f was. And the D is diameter.

knarl.
 
Weight times diameter doesn't make any sense...Even elimination would lead you to the correct answer.

Daniel.
 
Back
Top