MoI of a Sphere using Spherical Coordinates

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SUMMARY

The moment of inertia (MoI) of a uniformly distributed sphere about an axis through its center is calculated using spherical coordinates. The correct formula for MoI is established as I = (2/5)MR², where M is the mass and R is the radius of the sphere. The error in the initial integration arises from using the incorrect distance in the moment of inertia integral. The perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation should be rₘₑₜₑₗ = r sin(θ), leading to the correct integration and final result of I = (2/5)MR².

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  • Understanding of spherical coordinates
  • Knowledge of moment of inertia concepts
  • Familiarity with triple integrals in calculus
  • Basic principles of mass density
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  • Study the application of spherical coordinates in physics problems
  • Learn about the integration techniques for calculating volumes in spherical coordinates
  • Explore the relationship between mass distribution and moment of inertia
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and rotational dynamics, as well as educators teaching concepts related to moment of inertia and integration techniques in calculus.

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Homework Statement



Calculate the moment of inertia of a uniformly distributed sphere about an axis through its center.

Homework Equations



I know that
$$I= \frac{2}{5} M R^{2},$$
where ##M## is the mass and ##R## is the radius of the sphere. However, for some reason,
when I do this integration in spherical coordinates, I do not get this result.

The Attempt at a Solution



The density is
$$ \rho= \frac{M}{V}= \frac{3M}{4 \pi R^{3}}.$$
Then the moment of inertia is
$$I= \int r^{2} \,dm= \rho \iiint_{V}r^{2} \,dV
= \rho \int_{0}^{2 \pi} \int_{0}^{ \pi} \int_{0}^{R} r^{4} \sin(\theta) \, dr \, d\theta \, d\phi
=4 \pi \rho \frac{R^{5}}{5}
$$
$$=4 \pi \frac{3M}{4 \pi R^{3}} \frac{R^{5}}{5}= \frac{3}{5} MR^{2}.$$
Where is my error?

I know, I know: all the derivations of this result I can find split the sphere up into
disks. I understand those derivations: I want to know where this one is wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The ##r## in the moment of inertia integral is the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to a given mass element ##dm##. The ##r## in spherical coordinates is the distance to ##dm## from the center of the 2-sphere. The two only agree for mass elements that lie on the equatorial plane.
 
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If you really want to use spherical coordinates, then note that the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to a given mass element will be given by ##r_{\perp } = r\sin\theta## hence the moment of inertial integral becomes ##I = \rho \int _{S^{2}}r^{2}\sin^{2}\theta dV = \frac{3}{10}MR^{2} \int_{0}^{\pi}\sin^{3}\theta d\theta = \frac{3}{10}\frac{4}{3}MR^{2} = \frac{2}{5}MR^{2}##.
 
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