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Grade 12Mechanics

find the moment of inertia of rod 4*10^-2m in diameter and 2m long, of mass 8kg about,
(a) an axis perpendicular to the rod and passing through its center ?
(b) a longitudinal axis passing through its centre?

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4 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To find the moment of inertia of a rod, we need to consider the geometry of the rod and the axis about which we are calculating the moment of inertia. The moment of inertia is a measure of how difficult it is to change the rotational motion of an object about a given axis. Let's break down the calculations for both scenarios you've mentioned.

Calculating Moment of Inertia

(a) Axis Perpendicular to the Rod and Passing Through Its Center

For a solid rod with a uniform mass distribution, the moment of inertia about an axis perpendicular to the rod and passing through its center can be calculated using the formula:

  • I = (1/12) * m * L²

Where:

  • I = moment of inertia
  • m = mass of the rod
  • L = length of the rod

In this case:

  • m = 8 kg
  • L = 2 m

Plugging in the values:

  • I = (1/12) * 8 kg * (2 m)²
  • I = (1/12) * 8 kg * 4 m²
  • I = (1/12) * 32 kg·m²
  • I = 2.67 kg·m²

Thus, the moment of inertia of the rod about an axis perpendicular to it and passing through its center is approximately 2.67 kg·m².

(b) Longitudinal Axis Passing Through Its Center

For the moment of inertia about a longitudinal axis (which runs along the length of the rod), the formula is different:

  • I = (1/3) * m * L²

Using the same mass and length:

  • m = 8 kg
  • L = 2 m

Now substituting these values into the formula:

  • I = (1/3) * 8 kg * (2 m)²
  • I = (1/3) * 8 kg * 4 m²
  • I = (1/3) * 32 kg·m²
  • I = 10.67 kg·m²

Therefore, the moment of inertia of the rod about a longitudinal axis passing through its center is approximately 10.67 kg·m².

Summary of Results

To summarize:

  • Moment of inertia about an axis perpendicular to the rod and through its center: 2.67 kg·m²
  • Moment of inertia about a longitudinal axis through its center: 10.67 kg·m²

Understanding these calculations helps in various applications, such as analyzing rotational dynamics in physics and engineering. If you have any further questions or need clarification on any part, feel free to ask!