Moment of inertia of a rigid body

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the moment of inertia of a rigid body consisting of an inner cylinder and an outer hollow cylinder, with specific dimensions provided. Participants are examining the implications of these dimensions on the calculations of moment of inertia.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different methods for calculating the moment of inertia, including subtracting the inertia of the inner cylinder from that of the outer cylinder. Questions arise regarding the inclusion of a hanging mass and the interpretation of the system's components.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the correct approach to calculating the moment of inertia, with some participants suggesting that the hanging block should be excluded from the rigid body calculations. Multiple interpretations of the problem setup are being discussed, and guidance has been offered regarding the components of the system.

Contextual Notes

Participants note confusion regarding the mass distribution of the cylinders and the role of the hanging block in the overall moment of inertia calculation. There are references to potential errors in initial reasoning and the need for clarification on the definitions of the components involved.

doktorwho
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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?
 
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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.
 
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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 !
 
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Got it, thanks :)
 

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