1.

Given the moment of inertia of a thin uniform disc about its diameter to be 1/2 MR2 , where M and R are respectively the mass and radius of the disc, find its moment of inertia about an axis normal to the disc and passing through a point on its edge.

Answer»

Consider a thin uniform disc of mass M and radius R in the xy plane. Let Ix, ly and Iz be the moments of inertia of the disc about the x, y and z axes respectively.

Now, I= Iy

since each represents the moment of inertia (MI) of the disc about its diameter and, by symmetry, the MI of the disc about any diameter is the same.

∴ Ix = Iy= 1/4 MR2 (Given)

According to the theorem of perpendicular axes,

Iz = Ix + Iy = 2(1/4MR2) = 1/2 MR2

Let I be the MI of the disc about a tangent normal to the disc and passing through a point on its edge (i.e., a tangent perpendicular to its plane). According to the theorem of parallel axis,

I = ICM + Mh2

Here, ICM = Iz = 1/2 MR2 and h = R.

∴ I = 1/2 MR2 + MR2 = 3/2 MR2

which is the required expression.



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