Setting up a Double Integral for Moment of Inertia

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the Moment of Inertia of a circular disk of uniform density about an axis that passes through the center and makes an angle of $\dfrac{\pi}{6}$ with the plane of the disk. The original poster attempts to set up a double integral for this calculation but expresses difficulty in modifying the integral for the specified axis of rotation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the challenges of using cylindrical coordinates due to the lack of symmetry around the rotation axis. Some suggest modifying the $r^2$ factor to account for the angle, while others propose using Cartesian coordinates. There are inquiries about the inertia tensor and the implications of symmetry in the setup.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various approaches to the problem, including the potential use of tensors and coordinate transformations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to adjust the integral setup, but there is no explicit consensus on a single method. The original poster has expressed a desire for clarification on certain concepts and approaches.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that the original poster may not have the full mathematical background typically required for this type of problem, as some participants note that the concepts involved are usually covered in early college courses. The original poster has also mentioned their current level of study in mathematics, indicating a strong interest in the subject despite some gaps in knowledge.

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Homework Statement



>Problem:<br>Find the Moment of Inertia of a circular disk of uniform density about an axis which passes through the center and makes an angle of $\dfrac{\pi}{6}$ with the plane of the disc.

Homework Equations



Moment of Inertia ($I$) is $$\int r^2dm$$ where $r$ is the perpendicular distance from the chosen axis (and can vary) and $dm$ is an elemental mass.

The Attempt at a Solution

I interpreted the disk as a 2 Dimensional structure, hence it has mass per unit area ($\sigma$)

$$dm=\sigma dA$$

Thus, $$I=\int r^2dm=\int \int_A \sigma dA$$
$$$$
Using a change of variables to Cylindrical Co-ordinates,

$$dA=rdrd\theta$$
$$$$
$$\Longrightarrow I=\int\int \sigma r^3 dr d\theta$$
$$$$
However, this is the Integral for finding the Moment of Inertia for an axis perpendicular to the plane of the body. I cannot understand how to modify it for the given question.
$$$$
I would be very grateful if somebody could please solve this question without resorting to differential equations.
Many thanks in anticipation!

PS. This is not a homework question. I came across it while browsing the Web for problems on Moment of Inertia.

PPS. I don't know why the Tex code isn't working on top of the page. I'm really sorry for that.
 

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Cylindrical coordinates are tricky, as your object does not have this symmetry around the rotation axis. If you want to keep the system where it has this symmetry, you have to modify the r2 factor. It will depend on θ.
Alternatively, work in the system of the axis. Cartesian coordinates there could work.

If you know about tensors, calculate the inertia tensor and do a coordinate transformation.
 
mfb said:
Cylindrical coordinates are tricky, as your object does not have this symmetry around the rotation axis. If you want to keep the system where it has this symmetry, you have to modify the r2 factor. It will depend on θ.
Alternatively, work in the system of the axis. Cartesian coordinates there could work.

If you know about tensors, calculate the inertia tensor and do a coordinate transformation.

Thank you for your reply, Sir. Sir, I haven't learned Tensor Analysis (I'm yet in the early months of grade 11). Please could you show me how else to approach this problem? Also, could you please explain this line again: "If you want to keep the system where it has this symmetry"? I was unable to understand. How should I modify the r2 factor, Sir?
 
You can calculate the MOI of a figure about an arbitrary axis by transforming the MOI properties which are determined about the standard coordinate axes.

This article shows how:

http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~marghitu/MECH2110/staticsC4.pdf

BTW, such work is usually found in first or second year college courses in calculus or mechanics. I'm not sure you have the requisite math background, being only about halfway thru high school, to understand some of the concepts you need to solve this problem.
 
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SteamKing said:
You can calculate the MOI of a figure about an arbitrary axis by transforming the MOI properties which are determined about the standard coordinate axes.

This article shows how:

http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~marghitu/MECH2110/staticsC4.pdf

BTW, such work is usually found in first or second year college courses in calculus or mechanics. I'm not sure you have the requisite math background, being only about halfway thru high school, to understand some of the concepts you need to solve this problem.

Thanks Sir. I'll go through the site when I wake up (it is really late here in the night in India).
Actually Sir, Maths (specifically Calculus) is my passion and I've spent a lot of time on it ; I've done till Multivariable Calculus - till Vector Fields and Line Integrals (the basics from Apostol's Books on Calculus). Unfortunately though, I haven't done Differential Equations properly, a drawback I've been trying to rectify...
 
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