Moment of Inertia, relation to other moments?

AI Thread Summary
The moment of inertia is termed a "moment" due to its mathematical formulation, which resembles that of electromagnetic (e/m) moments, involving integration of mass density multiplied by coordinates. This similarity extends to the quadrupole moment, suggesting a potential connection between mechanical and electromagnetic moments. Both types of moments represent average values of density times distance raised to a power from the center of mass. While mechanical moments use material density, e/m moments replace it with electromagnetic quantities. This discussion highlights the underlying mathematical parallels between these concepts in physics.
Pengwuino
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Is there a reason the moment of inertia is called the "moment" of inertia? A while back, for whatever reason, I remembered how the moment of inertia is formulated and I realized it had similarities to the e/m moments; that is the integration of the mass density multiplied by coordinates. In particular, it looked like the quadrapole moment. Is there any connection? Was it simply a convenient name to give to e/m moments?
 
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Mechanical moments (from a mathematical point of view) are average values of density times distance (raised to some power) from the center of mass of the object. The moment of inertia is the second moment.

e/m moments have a similar mathematical structure, but e/m quantities replace material density.
 
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