Moment of inertia and axis of symmetry

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving an expression for the moment of inertia about the axis of symmetry for a cylinder with a mass density that decreases as a function of distance from the axis. The cylinder has mass M, length L, and radius a.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore whether the moment of inertia can be treated similarly to that of a disk with the same mass. Questions arise regarding the implications of the mass distribution on the moment of inertia, particularly when most mass is closer to the axis of rotation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning assumptions about mass distribution and its effect on the moment of inertia. Some have provided mathematical expressions and integrals related to the problem, while others seek clarification on the reasoning and calculations presented.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the implications of the mass density function on the moment of inertia, with references to specific equations and units. Participants are also considering the need for detailed calculations to validate their reasoning.

bon
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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
 
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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:

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