Moment of inertia of a non uniform disc

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around calculating the moment of inertia (MOI) of a non-uniform disc with a mass M and a center of gravity at distance x from the center. Participants express concern over the insufficient information provided to accurately determine the MOI, as the mass distribution of the disc is unclear. The use of the parallel axis theorem is debated, particularly the assumption that Ioo equals 1/2M[R^2], which is only valid for uniform discs. Suggestions are made to treat the MOI as a variable J and proceed to the second part of the problem, which involves analyzing the forces on the disc when it rolls on a table. The consensus is that additional details about the disc's mass distribution are necessary for a complete solution.
Rnm
Messages
4
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


A non uniform disc of radius R has a mass of M. Its centre of gravity is located at a distance x from the centre. Find the moment of inertia of mass (moi) around the axis perpendicular to the surface passinf through the centre of gravity.

Homework Equations


Parallel axis theorem
Ioo = Igg + m[r^2]

Ioo = moi around axis required
Igg = moi around axis through centre of gravity
m = mass of the object
r = distance between the 2 axises(?dont know the plural)

Moi around the centre of a uniform disc
1/2m[r^2]

The Attempt at a Solution

[/B]
I assumed that since Ioo = 1/2M[R^2]
Then using parallel axis theorem i took
Igg =1/2M[R^2] - M[x^2]
The problem is you can get a negative answer for Igg for certain x(>R/root2). So i think I am wrong some where in my assumptions. Can someone please clarify
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes berkeman
Physics news on Phys.org
Rnm said:
I assumed that since Ioo = 1/2M[R^2]
Why would you assume that? (That's the MOI of a uniform disk through its center.)

Have you posted the full problem? I don't see sufficient information to solve for anything.
 
+1

Looks like something is missing.
 
Doc Al said:
Why would you assume that? (That's the MOI of a uniform disk through its center.)

Have you posted the full problem? I don't see sufficient information to solve for anything.

This is the first part of the question.
The 2nd part involves placing this disk on a horizontal table at rest and letting go. The disk starts to roll (with no slipping) along the table . I need to use the answers i obtained in the first part to find the vertical and horizontal components of the reaction force on the disk by the table

I wrote 3 equations for this with Newtons 2nd law in the vertical and horizontal directions and the 2nd law of rotation in the direction of the angular acceleration (a)
I can't figure out how to write the last equation without using Igg. (Since it is stated to use the previous result).
 
Are you sure the problem says it's a NONuniform disc not a uniform disc?

Consider the case when x=0. There are lots of ways that such a disc can be "nonuniform" and the moment of inertia will be different in each case. For example the disc could be thicker in the middle or thicker at the edge. That would change the moment of inertia while keeping x unchanged. You couldn't calculate the moment of inertia without knowing the mass distribution.
 
CWatters said:
Are you sure the problem says it's a NONuniform disc not a uniform disc?
Rnm said:
Its centre of gravity is located at a distance x from the centre
 
  • Like
Likes CWatters
Rnm said:
A non uniform disc of radius R has a mass of M. Its centre of gravity is located at a distance x from the centre. Find the moment of inertia of mass (moi) around the axis perpendicular to the surface passinf through the centre of gravity.
As others have posted, this is not nearly enough information. As an example, consider a uniform disc mass m with a point mass M-m stuck on at distance y from the disc's centre. The moment of inertia about the mass centre of the combination is mr2/2+Mmx2/(M-m).

Edit: No, that can't be right... something nasty anyway.
 
Last edited:
No other data is given in the question. I double checked. I suppose the question is incomplete then? But if so what would be missing in the question?
 
Rnm said:
what would be missing in the question?
I cannot think of one simple extra piece of information that would allow you to find the moment.
I suggest you just write it as J and proceed to the second part of the question.

Edit: I found an old question exactly the same except that it did not expect you to determine the moment of inertia. It just said it is I, and asked about the oscillation. This suggests to me that asking for the moment of inertia was just a mistake.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes CWatters
  • #10
haruspex said:
I suggest you just write it as J and proceed to the second part of the question.
Will do. Ill try to find the missing information about the question. Thanks for helping me out.
 
Back
Top