The moment of inertia of circular sector

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SUMMARY

The moment of inertia of a circular sector about the X-axis can be calculated using the integral I_{x} = ∫y^{2} dA, where dA is defined in polar coordinates. The limits of integration for the radial coordinate r range from 0 to R, and for the angular coordinate θ from -θ to θ, assuming a uniform density distribution of 1. The discussion highlights the effectiveness of using polar coordinates due to the radial symmetry of the area, simplifying the integration process.

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Hello

how can I find the moment of inertia of a circular sector about the X axis , which the sector is symmetrical about , with -θ down and θ above ?!

I_{x} = ∫y^{2} dA = ∫y^{2} *y *dx

Or =∫∫ y^{2} dy dx

I don't know how to put the limits of integration , I turned it to polar double integral and put the limits of r from zero to R , and limits of θ from -θ to θ and it gave the correct answer but I don't know why :)
 
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That's correct if you assume a uniform density distribution of 1. In x and y, you could use two types of limits. If we define the bounding curves by x as a function of y, you can go from the V shape to the circle. The V shape would be from x = |cot(θ)y| and it would go to x = sqrt(R^2 - y^2) . y would then vary from 0 to R. You can also go the other way around and define the curves as functions of x. However, you can see that since your area has radial symmetry, it is easier to integrate in polar coordinates.
 

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