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Set 8 Problem number 15


Problem

A massless disk is constrained to rotate about an axis through its center and perpendicular to its plane. Iron rods are shaped into circles whose radii are 9.6 meters, 19.2 meters and 28.8 meters. These circles are secured to the disk, concentric with it. The rods have mass density 9.167304 kilograms/meter.

Solution

The first circle or hoop has circumference 2 `pi ( 9.6 meters) = 60.28801 meters.

The second circle or hoop has circumference 2 `pi ( 19.2 meters) = 120.576 meters.

The third circle or hoop has circumference 2 `pi ( 28.8 meters) = 180.864 meters.

The three moments of inertia will therefore be

These add up to the total moment of inertia

The 1879 meter Newton torque will result in an angular acceleration of `alpha = `tau / I = 1879 meter Newtons / ( 1018697 kilogram meter ^ 2) = 1.844513E-03 radians/second.

A hoop of radius r and mass density `lambda, measured in kg / meter, will have circumference 2 `pi r and therefore total mass hoop mass = 2 `pi r * `lambda.

I = m r^2 = 2 `pi r * `lambda * r^2 = 2 `pi r^3 * `lambda.

A series of hoops with radii r1, r2, ..., rn, each with the same density `lambda, will have circumferences

masses

and will therefore have moments of inertia

The total moment of inertia will be

The acceleration resulting from applying a torque `tau will therefore be

Generalized Solution

If mass m is distributed over a circle or a hoop of radius r centered at the axis of rotation then the entire mass m lies at distance r from the axis and the moment of inertia of that hoop is m r^2.

Explanation in terms of Figure(s); Extension

The figure below depicts three concentric hoops.

Figure

 

 

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