# Homework Help: Moment of inertia of spherical shell

1. Sep 20, 2010

### tsw99

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Moment of inertia of spherical shell of radius R, mass M along its rotation axis is given by $$\frac{2}{3}MR^{2}$$
I am trying to calculate this

2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
This is my attempt but is unsuccessful,
since the spherical shell is an assembly of rings (of varying radius), and the MI of a ring is
$$I=MR^{2}$$
Hence $$dI=y^{2}dm$$
$$I=\int y^2(2\pi \sigma ydz$$
Using $$y=Rsin\theta$$ and $$z=Rcos\theta$$
I get:
$$I=2 \pi \sigma R^{4} \int sin^{4}\theta d\theta =2 \pi \sigma R^{4} \frac{3\pi}{8} =\frac{3\pi MR^{2}}{16}$$
which is incorrect.

Which step I have gone wrong? Thanks

Last edited: Sep 20, 2010
2. Sep 20, 2010

### ehild

The constant surface charge refers to the spherical surface element which is R^2 sinθ dφ dθ in the spherical polar coordinates. After integrating for φ for a ring, it is dA=2πR^2 dθ. You have to multiply this by σ to get dm, and by the square of the distance from the axis, (Rsinθ)^2. So you have only sin^3 in the integrand.

ehild