Inertia of a rolling dumbell

[yunica]

TL;DR

How does the distance by which two plates are placed from a dumbell's center affect inertia

Hi guys,
I was just wondering this question: say I have a dumbell which is two plates of equal mass placed on a rod, then is the moment of inertia for this object affected when the distance the plates are placed from the center "R" changes?

I've attached an image to illustrate me point

Thanks guys

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.

... is the moment of inertia for this object affected when the distance the plates are placed from the center "R" changes?

No.
If the mass of the bar is constant, and it rolls in a straight line, then the separation of the weights will not determine the inertia.

 

[Dale]

Unless it is rotating about an axis that is not parallel to the rod