Moment of inertia and axis of symmetry

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the moment of inertia (MOI) for a cylinder with mass M, length L, and radius a, where the mass density decreases as a function of distance from the axis (1/r). Participants clarify that the MOI for this cylinder is not equivalent to that of a uniform disk, as the distribution of mass affects the calculation. The correct expression for the moment of inertia is derived using integration, leading to the conclusion that the MOI is 1/3 M a² L, which is smaller than that of a uniform cylinder (1/2 M a² L).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of moment of inertia concepts
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Knowledge of cylindrical coordinates
  • Basic physics principles regarding mass distribution
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of moment of inertia for various shapes, focusing on non-uniform density distributions
  • Learn about cylindrical coordinates and their applications in physics
  • Explore advanced integration techniques relevant to physics problems
  • Investigate the implications of mass distribution on rotational dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, mechanical engineers, and anyone studying rotational dynamics or moment of inertia calculations.

bon
Messages
547
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Derive an expression for the moment of inertia about the axis of symmetry for
a cylinder of mass M , length L and radius a, where the mass density decreases as a
function of distance from the axis as 1/r

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



1) am i right in thinking this would just be the same as the MOI of a disk of same mass?

and is the answer 2pi/3 a^3 or alternatively 1/3 M/L a^3
 
Physics news on Phys.org
bon said:

Homework Statement



Derive an expression for the moment of inertia about the axis of symmetry for
a cylinder of mass M , length L and radius a, where the mass density decreases as a
function of distance from the axis as 1/r

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



1) am i right in thinking this would just be the same as the MOI of a disk of same mass?

and is the answer 2pi/3 a^3 or alternatively 1/3 M/L a^3

No. If most of the mass is closer to the axis of rotation the moment of inertia would be less than for mass evenly distributed throughout assuming the mass and radius of both cylinders are the same.

Could you show your work? The moment of inertia must come out to units of kg*m^2, so I was wondering about the first answer...
 
Last edited:
pgardn said:
No. If most of the mass is closer to the axis of rotation the moment of inertia would be less than for mass evenly distributed throughout assuming the mass and radius of both cylinders are the same.

Could you show your work?

Ok so you can just do it for a disk..as the MOI of the cylinder is just the same as a disk. Look:

I = integral of r^2 dm

=integral of r^2 density dx dy

density = 1/r

so = integral of r rdrdtheta (dxdy = rdrdtheta)

If you compute the double integral you get my answer..
 
bon said:
Ok so you can just do it for a disk..as the MOI of the cylinder is just the same as a disk. Look:

I = integral of r^2 dm

=integral of r^2 density dx dy

density = 1/r

so = integral of r rdrdtheta (dxdy = rdrdtheta)

If you compute the double integral you get my answer..

I got your second answer using sigma = sigma o *a/r basically the same thing.
dm = sigma o*a/r dA... dA = 2pi*rdr... works the same.

And if the math is right, it makes sense as 1/3Ma^2 is smaller than a uniform cylinder 1/2Ma^2

ohh and I left out the L so the a^3 on top would be more correct given the question.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K