Moment Of Inertia Of The Solid Cylinder

Moment Of Inertia Of The Solid Cylinder

Vishal kumarUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 05:44 PM IST

The inability of a body to change its state of rest or of uniform linear motion by itself is known as inertia. A body rotating about an axis is unable to produce a change in its rotational motion by itself and this inertness in the case of rotational motion is known as rotational inertia.

This Story also Contains

  1. Moment of Inertia of the Solid Cylinder
  2. Solved Example Based on the Moment of Inertia of the Solid Cylinder
  3. Summary
Moment Of Inertia Of The Solid Cylinder
MOI_Solid_cylinder

In this article, we will cover the concept of the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder. This topic falls under the broader category of rotational motion, which is a crucial chapter in Class 11 physics. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE and more. Over the last ten years of the JEE Main exam (from 2013 to 2023), almost three questions have been asked on this concept. But no direct question was asked in the NEET Exam.

Moment of Inertia of the Solid Cylinder

Let I= Moment of inertia of the cylinder about an axis through its centre

To calculate I

Consider a cylinder of mass M, radius R and length L.

mass per unit volume of the cylinder $\rho=\frac{M}{V}=\frac{M}{\pi R^2 L}$

Imagine that the cylinder is made of a large number of coaxial cylindrical shells

Take a small elemental cylindrical shell of mass dm having internal radius x and external radius (x + dx).

So for that elemental cylindrical shell $d V=(2 \pi x d x) L$

And
$
dm=\rho d V=\frac{M}{\pi R^2 L}(2 \pi x d x) L
$

Now integrate this dI between the limits x=0 to x=R

$\begin{aligned}
& I=\int d I=\int x^2 * \rho d v \\
& =\int_0^R \frac{M}{\pi R^2 L}\left(2 \pi * L x^3 d x\right) \\
& =\frac{2 M}{R^2} \int_0^R x^3 d x=\frac{M R^2}{2}
\end{aligned}$

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Solved Example Based on the Moment of Inertia of the Solid Cylinder

Example 1: The moment of inertia of solid cylinder mass M, length L and radius R about its own axis is:

1) $M R^2$
2) $M L^2$
3) $\frac{M R^2}{2}$
4) $\frac{M L^2}{12}$

Solution:

Moment of inertia for solid cylinder -

$
I=\frac{1}{2} M R^2
$
wherein
About the axis passing through a central line.
The moment of inertia about its own axis is $\frac{M R^2}{2}$

Hence, the answer is option (3).

Example 2: Two solid cylinders are connected by a massless rod as shown in the figure. The distance b/w centre line of both cylinders is 3R. What is the moment (in terms of MR2) of inertia of the system about the axis shown in the below diagram?

1) 5.55

2) 6.25

3) 1.85

4) 1.6

Solution:

Moment of inertia for solid cylinder About axis passing through central line is given by:
$
I_c=\frac{1}{2} M R^2
$

For the figure

For cylinder 1

$\begin{gathered}
I_1=I_c+M d^2 \\
I_1=\frac{1}{2} M R^2+M\left[R+\frac{R}{3}\right]^2 \\
\frac{1}{2} M R^2+M\left[\frac{4 R}{3}\right]^2=\frac{41}{18} M R^2
\end{gathered}$

For cylinder 2

$\begin{aligned}
& I_2=I_c+M d^2 \\
I_2= & \frac{1}{2} M R^2+M\left[R+\frac{2 R}{3}\right]^2 \\
I_2= & \frac{59}{18} M R^2
\end{aligned}$

So,

$I=I_1+I_2=\frac{41}{18} M R^2+\frac{59}{18} M R^2=\frac{100}{18} M R^2=\frac{50}{9} M R^2$

Hence, the answer is option (1).

Example 3: The moment of inertia of a cylinder of mass $M$ and length $L$ and radius $\mathrm{R}$ about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder is $I=M\left(\frac{R^2}{4}+\frac{L^2}{12}\right)$ If such a cylinder is to $\frac{L}{R}$ for it to have the be made for a given mass of a material, the ratio $\bar{R}$ for it to have the minimum possible I is:

1) $\frac{2}{3}$
2) $\frac{3}{2}$
3) $\sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}$
4) $\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}$

Solution:

$
I=m\left[\frac{R^2}{4}+\frac{L^2}{12}\right]
$

Given,
$
M=\rho\left(\pi R^2 L\right)
$

So,
$
I=M\left[\frac{R^2}{4}+\frac{M^2}{\left.12\left(\rho \pi R^2\right)^2\right)}\right]
$

$
\begin{aligned}
& \frac{d I}{d R}=0 \\
\Rightarrow & M\left[\frac{2 R}{4}+\frac{-4 M^2}{12 \rho^2 \pi^2 R^5}\right]=0 \\
R= & (2 / 3)^{1 / 6} \times\left(\frac{M}{\rho \pi}\right)^{1 / 3} \ldots( 1)\\
L= & \frac{M}{\rho \pi\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{1 / 3}\left(\frac{M}{\rho \pi}\right)^{2 / 3}} \ldots(2)
\end{aligned}
$

So, (2) divided by (1) will give
$
\frac{L}{R}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{2}}
$

Hence, the answer is the option (4).

Example 4: The solid cylinder of length 80 cm and mass M has a radius of 20 cm. Calculate the density of the material used if the moment of inertia of the cylinder about an axis CD parallel to AB as shown in the figure is 2.7 kg m2.


1) $1.49 \times 10^2 \frac{\mathrm{kg}}{\mathrm{m}^3}$
2) $7.5 \times 10^1 \frac{\mathrm{kg}}{\mathrm{m}^3}$
3) $14 \cdot 9 \frac{\mathrm{kg}}{\mathrm{m}^3}$
4) $7.5 \times 10^2 \frac{\mathrm{kg}}{\mathrm{m}^3}$

Solution:

$\begin{aligned}
& I_{C D}=I_{A B}+M d^2 \\
& \quad=\left(\frac{M R^2}{2}\right)+M\left(\frac{L}{2}\right)^2 \\
& 2 \cdot 7=\left(\frac{M \times 0 \cdot 04}{2}\right)+\left(\frac{M \times 0 \cdot 64}{4}\right) \\
& 10 \cdot 8=0 \cdot 08 \mathrm{M}+0 \cdot 64 \mathrm{M} \\
& 10 \cdot 8=0 \cdot 72 \mathrm{M} \\
& M=\frac{10 \cdot 8}{0 \cdot 72}=15 \mathrm{~kg} \\
& M=\rho \times\left(\pi r^2 \mathrm{~L}\right) \\
& s=\frac{15}{\frac{22}{7} \times 0 \cdot 04 \times 0 \cdot 8} \\
& s=\frac{105}{22 \times 0 \cdot 04 \times 0 \cdot 8}=\frac{105 \times 10^{+3}}{22 \times 32} \\
& =0 \cdot 149 \times 10^3 \\
& s=1 \cdot 49 \times 10^2 \frac{\mathrm{kg}}{\mathrm{m}^3}
\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is option (1)

Example 5: A uniform solid cylinder with radius $\mathrm{R}$ and length $\mathrm{L}$ has a moment of inertia $\mathrm{I}_1$, about the axis of the cylinder. A concentric solid cylinder of radius $\mathrm{R}^{\prime}=\frac{\mathrm{R}}{2}$ and length $\mathrm{L}^{\prime}=\frac{\mathrm{L}}{2}$ is carved out of the original cylinder. If $\mathrm{I}_2$ is the moment of inertia of the carved-out portion of the cylinder then $\frac{\mathrm{I}_1}{\mathrm{I}_2}=$ $\qquad$ (Both $\mathrm{I}_1$ and $\mathrm{I}_2$ are about the axis of the cylinder)

1) 32

2) 34

3) 36

4) 38

Solution:

$\begin{aligned}
& \mathrm{I}_1=\frac{\mathrm{MR}^2}{2} \\
& \text { mass }=\rho \pi \frac{\mathrm{R}^2}{4} \cdot \frac{\mathrm{L}}{2} \\
& \mathrm{~m}_2=\frac{\mathrm{M}}{8} \\
& \mathrm{I}_2=\frac{\mathrm{m}_2 \mathrm{R}_2^2}{2}=\frac{\mathrm{MR}^2}{8 \times 4 \times 2} \\
& \frac{\mathrm{I}_1}{\mathrm{I}_2}=32
\end{aligned}$

Hence, the answer is option (1).

Summary

A moment of inertia is a revolving object; for this reason, a moment of inertia is also known as angular momentum or acceleration. But as the name implies, moment of inertia is for angular or rotational motion, whereas inertia is for linear motion. This makes it very distinct from linear inertia. The size and shape of the object's cross-section, such as its I, circular, or rectangular cross-section, among others, are some of the factors that determine the moment of inertia. Another factor is the object's density, and the distribution of particles and objects about the rotational axis is the last and most important factor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the role of the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder in calculating its rotational work and power?
A:
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder is crucial in calculating rotational work and power. Rotational work is given by W = τθ, where τ is torque and θ is angular displacement. Since τ = Iα (where I is moment of inertia and α is angular acceleration), the work can be expressed in terms of I. Rotational power is the rate of doing this work
Q: How does the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder relate to its angular momentum in quantum mechanics?
A:
In quantum mechanics, the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder is still important in describing rotational motion, but it's treated differently. The angular momentum becomes quantized, taking only certain discrete values. The rotational energy levels are given by E = ℏ²l(l+1)/(2I), where ℏ is the reduced Planck constant, l is the angular momentum quantum number, and I is the moment of inertia.
Q: Can the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder be measured experimentally? If so, how?
A:
Yes, the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder can be measured experimentally. One common method is to use a torsion pendulum. The cylinder is suspended by a wire and set into rotational oscillation. By measuring the period of oscillation and knowing the torsional constant of the wire, the moment of inertia can be calculated. Another method involves measuring the angular acceleration produced by a known torque.
Q: How does the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder change if it's rotating about an axis perpendicular to its length through its center?
A:
When a solid cylinder rotates about an axis perpendicular to its length through its center, its moment of inertia is different from rotation about its central axis. In this case, I = (1/4)MR² + (1/12)ML², where M is the mass, R is the radius, and L is the length of the cylinder. This moment of inertia is larger than when rotating about the central axis due to the distribution of mass relative to this new axis.
Q: What happens to the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder if it's compressed along its length (keeping mass constant)?
A:
If a solid cylinder is compressed along its length while keeping its mass constant, its moment of inertia about the central axis (perpendicular to length) will increase. This is because the compression will cause the radius to increase (to maintain the same volume), and the moment of inertia is proportional to the square of the radius (R²).
Q: What is the significance of the radius of gyration in relation to the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder?
A:
The radius of gyration (k) is a concept related to the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder. It's defined as the distance from the axis of rotation at which, if all the mass of the cylinder were concentrated, it would have the same moment of inertia. For a solid cylinder rotating about its central axis, k² = R²/2, where R is the cylinder's radius. This concept helps in comparing the rotational inertia of different shapes.
Q: How does the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder affect its precession when it's spinning?
A:
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder affects its precession by influencing the rate at which the axis of rotation changes orientation. In gyroscopic motion, the precession rate is inversely proportional to the moment of inertia about the spin axis. A cylinder with a larger moment of inertia will precess more slowly for a given applied torque.
Q: Why is the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder important in the design of flywheels?
A:
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder is crucial in flywheel design because flywheels store rotational kinetic energy. A larger moment of inertia allows a flywheel to store more energy at a given angular velocity. Engineers often design flywheels to maximize moment of inertia while considering other factors like material strength and overall size.
Q: How does the concept of moment of inertia of a solid cylinder relate to the principle of conservation of energy in rotational motion?
A:
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder is crucial in understanding the conservation of energy in rotational motion. In a rotating system, the total energy (sum of rotational kinetic energy and potential energy) remains constant. The rotational kinetic energy is given by (1/2)Iω², where I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular velocity. Changes in moment of inertia can lead to changes in angular velocity to conserve energy.
Q: What is the relationship between the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder and its angular acceleration when a constant torque is applied?
A:
When a constant torque is applied to a solid cylinder, its angular acceleration is inversely proportional to its moment of inertia. This relationship is described by the equation α = τ/I, where α is the angular acceleration, τ is the applied torque, and I is the moment of inertia. A larger moment of inertia results in a smaller angular acceleration for the same applied torque.