Moment of inertia of a rigid body

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the moment of inertia (MoI) of a rigid body consisting of an inner cylinder and an outer hollow cylinder. The correct formula for the MoI is established as I = \frac{m}{2}(R^2 + 4R^2) + \frac{m}{2}R^2, which accounts for both the inner and outer components of the system. Participants clarify that the hanging block is not part of the rigid body and should be excluded from the MoI calculation. The confusion arises from the subtraction of inertias, which is addressed through a detailed breakdown of the components involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of moment of inertia concepts
  • Familiarity with rigid body dynamics
  • Knowledge of mass distribution in cylindrical objects
  • Basic proficiency in physics equations related to rotational motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of moment of inertia for composite bodies
  • Learn about the parallel axis theorem in rotational dynamics
  • Explore the differences between solid and hollow cylinders in terms of mass distribution
  • Investigate the role of external forces and components in rigid body motion
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, mechanical engineering, and anyone involved in the study of rotational dynamics and moment of inertia calculations.

doktorwho
Messages
181
Reaction score
6

Homework Statement


Determine the moment of inertia of a rigid body on the picture:
inertia.JPG

The radius of the inner cylinder is R and the outer is 2R.

Homework Equations


3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
I thought of subtracting the big cylinder inertia from the small and adding the hanging body and i get:
##I=\frac{m}{2}(R^2 + 4R^2) + m(2R)^2##
but for some reason the book states its:
##I=\frac{m}{2}(R^2 + 4R^2) + \frac{m}{2}R^2##
Why is it like this? Isn't the body hanging from the the outher radius and is like a point mass?
Could you explain?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Try inverting Kinetic energy = ##{1\over 2} I\omega^2 ## for m

and you'll find you are correct. As you could expect from such a dimensional mismatch, the book is wrong :smile:
 
PS
doktorwho said:
I thought of subtracting the big cylinder inertia from the small
the other way around ?

the drawing is confusing: does the inner cylinder have mass m ? Or is the cylinder hollow and does the axle with radius 0 have mass m ?
 
BvU said:
PS
the other way around ?

the drawing is confusing: does the inner cylinder have mass m ? Or is the cylinder hollow and does the axle with radius 0 have mass m ?
Sorry i made numeorus errors, what i meant was that i got
##I=\frac{m}{2}(-R^2 + 4R^2) + m(2R)^2##
Since i subtracted the smaller one from the bigger one. and they got:
##I=\frac{m}{2}(R^2 + 4R^2) + \frac{m}{2}R^2##
 
doktorwho said:
Sorry i made numeorus errors, what i meant was that i got
##I=\frac{m}{2}(-R^2 + 4R^2) + m(2R)^2##
Since i subtracted the smaller one from the bigger one. and they got:

Why would you subtract like that?

PS The answer given is correct for a dual-density cylinder with an inner cylinder of mass M and radius R and an outer hollow cylinder also of mass M and outer radius 2R.

The hanging block is not part of the "rigid body", so perhaps should be excluded for now. That might become clear in the next part of the question.
 
Last edited:
doktorwho said:
Sorry i made numeorus errors, what i meant was that i got
##I=\frac{m}{2}(-R^2 + 4R^2) + m(2R)^2##
Since i subtracted the smaller one from the bigger one. and they got:
##I=\frac{m}{2}(R^2 + 4R^2) + \frac{m}{2}R^2##
Yes, and I look like a fool now, referring to dimensional errors that have disappearedited o0) . Never mind. PeroK is correct on ##\forall## counts.
 
PeroK said:
Why would you subtract like that?

PS The answer given is correct for a dual-density cylinder with an inner cylinder of mass M and radius R and an outer hollow cylinder also of mass M and outer radius 2R.

The hanging block is not part of the "rigid body", so perhaps should be excluded for now. That might become clear in the next part of the question.
Oh i see. So the moment of inertia is the sum of two inertias, the sum of body on the inside plus the one on the outside.
##I=m/2*(R^2+4R^2) + X## where x is the part i don't get. Why is the thrid term there, isn't this all ther is? I combined the total system?
 
doktorwho said:
Oh i see. So the moment of inertia is the sum of two inertias, the sum of body on the inside plus the one on the outside.
##I=m/2*(R^2+4R^2) + X## where x is the part i don't get. Why is the thrid term there, isn't this all ther is? I combined the total system?

That's not quite it. You have three components to the system. I suggest that the hanging block is excluded from your calculation, as it isn't part of a rigid body.

The first two terms ##I=m/2*(R^2+4R^2)## together are the MoI of the outer hollow cylinder. This may be something you have to show. In any case, it would be a good exercise to derive this.

The third term ##m/2*(R^2)## is the MoI of the inner cylinder of mass ##M## and radius ##R##. It's not the MOI of the external block.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: doktorwho
Agree with PerOK; he's giving away a lot -- but then again: the link I gave in #3 tells the story in full also. You subtract the smaller one cylinder from the bigger one and end up with a plus sign anyway :smile: because of the m, Do the exercise !
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: doktorwho
  • #10
Got it, thanks :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
335
Views
16K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K