Engineering Moment of inertia around the z-axis

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the moment of inertia around the z-axis for a system comprising a rod and a disk. The original poster is struggling with their calculations and seeks assistance in identifying errors. Key points include the importance of considering the center of mass of the rod and correctly applying the mass moment of inertia formula. Contributors emphasize the need for proper limits of integration and clarification on the differential volume element in the context of the problem. The conversation highlights the necessity of accurate derivation steps to arrive at the correct moment of inertia.
cherry
Messages
25
Reaction score
6
Homework Statement
Determine the moment of inertia about the z axis of the assembly which consists of the 1.5-kg rod CD and the 7-kg disk.
Relevant Equations
I_zz=int(r_z^2)dm
Screenshot 2025-04-01 at 10.15.49 PM.png


I am not getting the right answer and I don't know where I am going wrong. Help would be appreciated, thanks!

(My apologies if my equations are not formatted correctly, I am still having trouble using LaTex on here)

My work:
\mathrm{I}_{zz}=[\frac{1}{12}(1.5)(0.2)^{2})+1.5(0.1sin(26.56))^{2}]+[\frac{1}{2}(7)(0.1)^{2}+7(0.2sin(26.56))^{2}]=0.09898{kg}\cdot{m^2}
Correct answer:
\mathrm{I}_{zz}=0.0915{kg}\cdot{m^2}
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you considering the location of the rod's center of mass?
 
I think it would help you ( for starters) if you tried to derive the mass moment of inertia of a thin-rod about a vertical axis passing through its center at some angle ##\theta## from horizontal using the definition:

$$ I = \int_V \rho r^2 ~ dV $$

1743612759855.png


It's not easy to tell where you are going wrong without steps, thought process, and working equations in Latex... So lets just start from the beginning.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes PhDeezNutz and Lnewqban
cherry said:
Homework Statement: Determine the moment of inertia about the z axis of the assembly which consists of the 1.5-kg rod CD and the 7-kg disk.
Relevant Equations: I_zz=int(r_z^2)dm

View attachment 359342

I am not getting the right answer and I don't know where I am going wrong. Help would be appreciated, thanks!

(My apologies if my equations are not formatted correctly, I am still having trouble using LaTex on here)

My work:
$$ \mathrm{I}_{zz}=[\frac{1}{12}(1.5)(0.2)^{2}) +1.5(0.1\sin(26.56))^{2}] +[\frac{1}{2}(7)(0.1)^{2}+7(0.2\sin(26.56))^{2}]=0.09898{kg}\cdot{m^2}$$


Correct answer:
\mathrm{I}_{zz}=0.0915{kg}\cdot{m^2}
Fixed your Latex.

You enter that with the following code:

Code:
$$ \mathrm{I}_{zz}=[\frac{1}{12}(1.5)(0.2)^{2}) +1.5(0.1\sin(26.56))^{2}] +[\frac{1}{2}(7)(0.1)^{2}+7(0.2\sin(26.56))^{2}]=0.09898{kg}\cdot{m^2}$$

See: LaTeX Guide
 
erobz said:
I think it would help you ( for starters) if you tried to derive the mass moment of inertia of a thin-rod about a vertical axis passing through its center at some angle ##\theta## from horizontal using the definition:

$$ I = \int_V \rho r^2 ~ dV $$

View attachment 359386

It's not easy to tell where you are going wrong without steps, thought process, and working equations in Latex... So lets just start from the beginning.

The center of mass of a thin rod is at L/2.
My derivation for the mass-moment of inertia of a thin rod about a vertical axis based on the diagram provided is the following (x is along the axis of the rod):
$$ \rho=\frac{m}{L} \longrightarrow dm=\frac{m}{L}dx $$
$$ I=\int_V{\rho r^2}dV $$
$$ I=\int_{0}^{L}\frac{m} {L}dx\cdot(xcos\theta)^2 $$
$$ =\frac{m}{L}cos^2\theta\int_{0}^{L}x^2dx $$
$$ =\frac{m}{L}cos^2\theta(\frac{1}{3}L^3) $$
$$ I=\frac{1}{3}mL^2cos^2\theta $$

Based on the question, theta ends up being:
$$ \\\theta=90-tan^{-1}(\frac{0.1}{0.2}) $$
$$ =90-26.565 $$
$$ \theta=63.43 $$

Please let me know if I'm on the right track! Thank you.
 
cherry said:
The center of mass of a thin rod is at L/2.
My derivation for the mass-moment of inertia of a thin rod about a vertical axis based on the diagram provided is the following (x is along the axis of the rod):
$$ \rho=\frac{m}{L} \longrightarrow dm=\frac{m}{L}dx $$
$$ I=\int_V{\rho r^2}dV $$
$$ I=\int_{0}^{L}\frac{m} {L}dx\cdot(xcos\theta)^2 $$
$$ =\frac{m}{L}cos^2\theta\int_{0}^{L}x^2dx $$
$$ =\frac{m}{L}cos^2\theta(\frac{1}{3}L^3) $$
$$ I=\frac{1}{3}mL^2cos^2\theta $$

Based on the question, theta ends up being:
$$ \\\theta=90-tan^{-1}(\frac{0.1}{0.2}) $$
$$ =90-26.565 $$
$$ \theta=63.43 $$

Please let me know if I'm on the right track! Thank you.
I was asking for a derivation about a central axis. Also, your element ##dV## doesn't seem to make sense. Neither do your limits of integration.

Just say the cross-sectional area of the element is ##A##, and the uniform density of the bar is ##\rho##, and they are both constant with respect to ##r##. Try again for the axis shown in the diagram.

Actually lets just take it piece by piece. What is ##dV## ( the volume of the differential element in red) in terms of ##dr##? Remember, ##r## is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Just write me the integral (without limits), with the constants factored out.
 
Last edited:
cherry said:
The center of mass of a thin rod is at L/2.
That is correct respect to the lenght of the rod.
But it is not in a horizontal position.

You would need to use the distances between the centers of mass of both objects and the common axis of rotation.
 
So, ##\rho## isn't a linear density in the equation. ##dm = \rho dV##, so that was confusing for me. I also see that you have transformed to ##x## along the length of the bar instead of keeping with ##r##. Ok.

Your main issue here is that you have the limits of integration incorrect (as @Lnewqban is pointing out) for the axis in the diagram. You are unwittingly computing ##I## about an axis passing through the end of the bar. Which is what you have in your problem, but not what I asked.
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
4K
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
903
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
28
Views
1K
Back
Top