Moment of inertia of a solid of rotation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the moment of inertia of a solid of revolution formed by rotating the area bounded by the curve x³ + y³ = 8 around the y-axis. The correct approach involves using cylindrical shells, where the moment of inertia for each shell is expressed as dI = ρx²dy, with x defined as x = (8 - y³)^(2/3). The integral for the total moment of inertia is I = ∫₀² (1/2)ρr⁴dy, correcting the initial miscalculations regarding the mass distribution and the moment of inertia of a disk.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically integration techniques.
  • Familiarity with the concept of moment of inertia in physics.
  • Knowledge of cylindrical shells method for volume and moment calculations.
  • Basic understanding of the curve x³ + y³ = 8 and its implications in solid geometry.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of cylindrical shells in detail for calculating volumes and moments of inertia.
  • Learn about the derivation and application of the moment of inertia formula for various shapes.
  • Explore integration techniques for functions involving roots and powers, particularly in the context of solid geometry.
  • Investigate the properties of the curve x³ + y³ = 8 and its applications in real-world scenarios.
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Grand
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Homework Statement


The first quadrant area bounded by the curve
x^3+y^3=8
is rotated around y-axis to give a solid of rotation. The question asks for an integral which represents the solid's moment of inertia around the axis.

My answer is:

I_y=M\frac{\int_0^2x^2ydx}{\int_0^2x^2dx}

but seems like I'm wrong. Could someone help me out, please?
 
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Last edited by a moderator:
The Moment of Inertial of a cylindrical shell of mass, m, and radius, R, is: m(R2).
 
We need to integrate over the height, that is from 0 to 2, and for each y we need to account for a disk of radius
x=\sqrt[3]{(8-y^3)}
which moment of inertia is:
dI=\rho x^2 dy=\rho (8-y^3)^{2/3}dy
For the whole body this is:
I=\int_0^2\rho (8-y^3)^{2/3} dy
I=\frac{m}{V}\int_0^2 (8-y^3)^{2/3} dy

I think this is wrong.
 
The Moment of Inertial of a disk of mass, m, and radius, R, is: (½)m(R2).

However, I think it would be better to use cylindrical shells as tiny-tim recommended.

The last integral you give, \displaystyle \int_0^2 (8-y^3)^{2/3} dy , gives the volume of your solid of revolution.
 
Last edited:
Hi Grand! :smile:
Grand said:
We need to integrate over the height, that is from 0 to 2, and for each y we need to account for a disk of radius
x=\sqrt[3]{(8-y^3)}
which moment of inertia is:
dI=\rho x^2 dy=\rho (8-y^3)^{2/3}dy

This is wrong for two reasons:

i] the moment of inertia of a disc is 1/2 mr2, not mr2

ii] you can't just use ρ instead of m … you need m for the whole disc, which is ρr2dy, so the whole formula for moment of inertia of the disc is 1/2 ρr4dy

But why are you making things so difficult for yourself? As SammyS :smile: says, cylindrical shells would be much easier.

Try again. :smile:
 

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