Why Do Principal Moments of Inertia Values Change with Different Origins?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the variation of principal moments of inertia when calculated from different origins, specifically comparing the corners of a square and the center of mass. The calculated values are Ixx=mb^2, Iyy=3mb^2, Izz=4mb^2 from a corner, and Ixx=mb^2, Iyy=mb^2, Izz=2mb^2 from the center of mass. The difference arises due to the mass distribution relative to the chosen origin, affecting the moment of inertia tensor. The inquiry also addresses the implications of diagonalizing the moment of inertia tensor about non-center of mass points.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of principal moments of inertia
  • Familiarity with moment of inertia tensor calculations
  • Knowledge of eigenvalues and eigenvectors in physics
  • Concept of center of mass in rigid body dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the moment of inertia tensor for various geometries
  • Learn about the parallel axis theorem in relation to moment of inertia
  • Explore the process of diagonalizing a moment of inertia tensor
  • Investigate the implications of mass distribution on rotational dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and dynamics, as well as engineers working with rigid body motion and inertia calculations.

Geocentric
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Consider 4 equal masses at the 4 corners of a square of side b. First I took one of the corners as the origin and found the principal moments of inertia to be Ixx=mb^2, Iyy=3mb^2, Izz=4mb^2 after solving the secular equation. Again, I found the principal moments of inertia but now with respect to the center of mass as origin as Ixx=mb^2, Iyy=mb^2, Izz=2mb^2. Now my question is, why do I get different values of principal moments of inertia? I asked this was initially in the homework section but didn't get an answer so I am reposting it here. Let me give my thoughts on it. Intuitively, since the mass distribution is different with respect to different origins, the Principal moments of inertia are different. The eigen vectors corresponding to these principal moments would be different in the 2 cases which would mean that there are a number of principal axes which are not parallel which is not true. This means that the moments of inertia Ixx, Iyy and Izz that I calculated with respect to the corners are not the principal moments of inertia. Does my argument sound logical? I have tried to explain my question to the best of my knowledge, if my question is still not clear Please let me know.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Are your axes of rotation going through the origin?

If so, then the moment of inertia will change since it is dependent on where the axis of rotation is.
 
Are your axes of rotation going through the origin?

Do you mean the center of mass? I have found it about 2 points-one is the center of mass and other is some arbitrary point. What is really creating a doubt in my mind is that, if I find the moment of inertia tensor about a point in the body other than the center of mass and then diagnolize it, will that give me the principal moments of inertia?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
69
Views
6K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
8K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K