Ratio of Inertia for Two Disks with Different Thicknesses

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two disks with the same radius and mass but differing thicknesses. The original poster seeks to understand how the moment of inertia of these disks compares, specifically looking for the ratio of their moments of inertia.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the moment of inertia formula for disks and question the significance of thickness in the calculation. Some participants suggest that thickness may not affect the moment of inertia, while others explore the implications of different axes of rotation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the moment of inertia in relation to thickness. Some guidance has been offered regarding the assumptions made about the axis of rotation, but there is no explicit consensus on the final ratio of the moments of inertia.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem may assume the simplest case of rotation about an axis perpendicular to the disks. There is also mention of potential confusion regarding the relationship between the moment of inertia of disks and cylinders.

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Homework Statement



Two disks have the same radius R and the same mass M, but one of the disks is twice as thick as the other. Disk A has thickness t, and disk B has thickness 2t. How does the moment-of-inertia of disk A about an axis through the center compare to that of disk B? Specifically, what is the ratio I_A / I_B ?


Homework Equations



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The Attempt at a Solution



The moment of inertia of a disk is I=1/2MR^2 but I don't understand where the thickness would be. If the thickness has no significance in the equation then would ratio be 1:1
 
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What's the moment of inertia of a cylinder compared to that of a disk?
 
There are three axes through the center (actually an infinite number).
The moment of inertia for the axis perpendicular to the base(s) of the cylinder (disc) does not depend on the thickness.The other ones do.
But I suppose the problem assumes the simplest case, right?
 
isn't the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder the same as that of a disk? i looked it up in my physics book and it gave the moment of inertia as 1/2MR^2 for a disk.
since the moment of inertia doesn't depend on thickness, the ratio of the two disks would be 1:1, right? that was my first guess but wasn't sure.
 
plus1 said:
isn't the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder the same as that of a disk? i looked it up in my physics book and it gave the moment of inertia as 1/2MR^2 for a disk.
since the moment of inertia doesn't depend on thickness, the ratio of the two disks would be 1:1, right? that was my first guess but wasn't sure.
Exactly, assuming--as nasu points out--that we are talking about an axis perpendicular to the center of the disk. (Which is the simplest case.)

My reason for bringing up the cylinder was so that you didn't have to guess. :wink:
 

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