Chapter 5: Problem 623
Moment of inertia of a sphere of mass
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph between the moment of inertia (I) and radius (R) of a sphere while keeping the mass constant (M) would be a parabolic curve with the equation:
Step by step solution
01
Moment of Inertia of a Solid Sphere
The moment of inertia of a given object depends on its mass distribution. For a solid sphere of mass M and radius R, the moment of inertia is given by the formula:
02
Study the relationship between I and R
To analyze the relationship between I (moment of Inertia) and R (radius) while keeping the mass M constant, we can rewrite the formula as:
Note that M is a constant value, so the graph of I with respect to R will be determined by the R^2 term.
03
Graphing I(R)
To plot I as a function of R, we see that I increases with R^2. This means that the graph will be a parabolic curve, with the vertex at the origin (0,0) and opening upwards (since R^2 is always positive). The graph will have the form of y = kx^2, where k is a constant, in this case, k = (2/5) * M.
Therefore, the graph between the moment of inertia (I) and radius (R) of a sphere while keeping the mass constant M would be a parabolic curve with the equation:
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Physics Education
Understanding physics requires breaking down complex concepts into simpler ideas that students can easily relate to. One such concept is the moment of inertia, especially when dealing with various shapes and mass distributions. In physics education, teaching about solid spheres, their mass distribution, and how these relate to real-world applications helps students create better mental models of the physical world.
Visual aids, such as graphs, play a crucial role in helping students grasp complicated concepts by providing a visual representation of relationships in formulas.
Visual aids, such as graphs, play a crucial role in helping students grasp complicated concepts by providing a visual representation of relationships in formulas.
- Clear step-by-step solutions simplify intricate problems.
- Teaching methods that incorporate both theoretical and practical experiences build a stronger foundation in understanding physics.
- Encouraging students to ask questions and explore different scenarios enhances critical thinking.
Solid Sphere
A solid sphere is a three-dimensional object where every point on its surface is equidistant from its center. It is an essential object of study in physics because of its symmetrical properties, making it easier to derive mathematical patterns. The moment of inertia of a solid sphere can be calculated using the formula:
where is the mass of the sphere and is its radius. This formula shows how the mass and radius of a sphere affect its rotational inertia.
where
- This property is critical in various engineering applications.
- The symmetrical nature simplifies calculations compared to irregular objects.
- Inertia plays a significant role in dynamics, involving spinning and rotation.
Mass Distribution
Mass distribution refers to how the mass is spread across an object, and it dramatically influences an object's moment of inertia. For a solid sphere, the mass is evenly distributed, leading to unique rotational characteristics. The formula for a sphere's moment of inertia— —directly incorporates mass distribution by considering mass (M) and radius (R) squared.
The even distribution of mass in a spear means its moment of inertia depends less heavily on its shape changes and more on size and mass consistency.
The even distribution of mass in a spear means its moment of inertia depends less heavily on its shape changes and more on size and mass consistency.
- Larger spheres have higher inertia due to increased mass distribution over a larger radius.
- The uniform distribution simplifies calculations and assists engineers and physicists in problem-solving.
- Studying how mass affects motion empowers students to understand real-world physics applications, from simple machines to complex systems.
Parabolic Graph
A parabolic graph is formed when plotting the relationship between the moment of inertia and the radius of a solid sphere, keeping mass constant. This is described by the equation:
Such graphs, with a parabolic curve, demonstrate how inertia increases with the square of the radius. The general equation for this parabola is in the form of , where is the constant, for the current scenario. and interact and beholds several real-world applications, such as in projectile motion and optics.
Such graphs, with a parabolic curve, demonstrate how inertia increases with the square of the radius. The general equation for this parabola is in the form of
- The graph will always open upwards as
is positive. - At the point (0,0), the graph touches the origin where both I and R are zero.
- The steepness of the parabola depends on the mass of the sphere (M).