Formula for moment of Inertia of different shapes

The term Moment of inertia in physics arises from the rotation of an object. The moment of inertia has the same mathematical role in rotational motion as that of the mass in linear motion. But the physical significance of the moment of inertia is different from that of the mass of an object. In this article, we are going to discuss the definition, unit, dimension, physical significance, equation or formula for moment of inertia for different shapes like a ring, disk, sphere, rod, etc.

1. Definition of moment of inertia
2. Mathematical equations of moment of inertia
3. Units of moment of inertia
4. Dimension of moment of inertia
5. Physical significance of moment of inertia
6. Moment of inertia and mass
7. Equation for moment of inertia for different objects list

Definition of Moment of inertia

In linear motion, a force produces acceleration in a body. But in rotational motion, a torque can rotate an object and produces angular acceleration in that object. The moment of inertia of a rotating object is defined as the amount of external torque required to produce a unit amount of angular acceleration in that object.

Sometimes, the moment of inertia is defined as the multiplication between the mass of the object and the square of the distance of the object from the axis of rotation. But this is not the 100% correct definition. It can be used to solve numerical problems.

Moment of inertia is a tensor quantity. But in lower classes, it is considered to be a scalar quantity. The symbol of the moment of inertia is I. It depends on the mass of the object and the distance of the object from the axis of rotation. The values of the moment of inertia of the same object are different for different axes of rotations. Another name for the moment of inertia is the moment of rotation.

Equationfor Moment of inertia

There are two mathematical equations for moment of inertia. These are –

$\small {\color{Blue} I = mr^{2}}$ ……….(1)

Where m is the mass of the object and r is the distance of the object from the axis of rotation. This is the most common formula for moment of inertia.

And, $\small {\color{Blue} \tau = I\alpha }$ ……….(2)

Where, $\small {\color{Blue} \tau }$ is the Torque on the object and $\small {\color{Blue} \alpha }$ is the angular acceleration of the object. This equation is used to define the moment of inertia.

Unit of Moment of Inertia

One can easily derive the units of moment of inertia from the equation-(1). The SI unit of moment of inertia is kg.m2 and the CGS unit of moment of inertia is g.cm2.

Dimension of Moment of Inertia

To find the dimensional formula of moment of inertia, we will use the equation-(1) again. The dimension of moment of inertia is [ML2].

Physical Significance of Moment of Inertia

Moment of inertia is the rotational counterpart of the mass. Physically, the moment of inertia represents the amount of external torque is required to produce a unit amount of angular acceleration in an object. This gives an idea that how easily an object can be rotated.

Moment of Inertia and Mass

I have already mentioned that the moment of inertia is the rotational counterpart of the mass of an object. Mathematically, the moment of inertia plays the same role in rotational motion as the mass plays in linear motion.

For example, in linear motion F = ma, where m is the mass of the object, F is the force that is the cause of the linear motion and a is the acceleration in linear motion i.e. the linear acceleration. Now, in rotational motion, $\small {\color{Blue} \tau = I\alpha }$, where, I is the moment of inertia, $\small {\color{Blue} \tau }$ is the torque which is the cause of rotational motion and $\small {\color{Blue} \alpha }$ is the angular acceleration.

So, if we compare each term of both equations then we can see that Moment of inertia has the same role in rotational motion as that of the mass in linear motion.

Formula for Moment of inertia of different shapes

Here I am going to share a chart or list of the moment of inertia formulas for different shapes like a rod, circle or circular ring, disk, sphere, cylinder, etc. about different axes of rotation. Check the following list of moment of inertia for different shapes.

Here, L is the length of the rod and cylinder, R is the radius of the circle or ring, disk, sphere and cylinder and M represents the mass of each object. These parameters L, R and M do not have equal values in each body. The value varies body to body. Here I have taken the same symbols to write mathematical expressions only.

Some important questions

1. On which parameters the moment of inertia depends? Answer: Moment of inertia depends on the mass of the object, Axis of rotation of the object and the distance of the object from the axis of rotation.
2. Is moment of inertia a scalar quantity or vector quantity? Answer: Moment of inertia is a Tensor quantity. But in junior classes, it is considered a scalar quantity.

This is all from this article on the moment of inertia and its formula for different shapes. If you have any doubts on this topic you can ask me in the comment section.

Thank you!

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1. Moment of Inertia for rectangle
2. Axes theorems for Moment of inertia
3. Rotational kinetic energy
4. Bending Moment