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Last updated on September 11, 2025
Calculators are reliable tools for solving simple mathematical problems and advanced calculations like trigonometry. Whether you’re designing machinery, calculating structural stability, or studying physics, calculators will make your life easy. In this topic, we are going to talk about moment of inertia calculators.
A moment of inertia calculator is a tool to figure out the moment of inertia for various shapes and objects. Moment of inertia is a property of a body that defines its resistance to angular acceleration.
This calculator makes the calculation much easier and faster, saving time and effort.
Given below is a step-by-step process on how to use the calculator:
Step 1: Select the shape: Choose the shape of the object for which you want to calculate the moment of inertia.
Step 2: Enter the dimensions: Input the required dimensions (such as radius, height, or width) into the given fields.
Step 3: Click on calculate: Click on the calculate button to get the result.
Step 4: View the result: The calculator will display the result instantly.
The moment of inertia depends on the shape and distribution of mass.
Here are some basic formulas for common shapes:
For a solid cylinder: I = 0.5 * m * r², where m is mass and r is radius.
For a solid sphere: I = 0.4 * m * r². - For a rectangular plate (axis through the center): I = (1/12) * m * (w² + h²), where w is width and h is height.
These formulas allow us to understand how mass distribution affects rotational inertia.
When using a moment of inertia calculator, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure accuracy:
Make sure you are using the correct units for mass and dimensions.
Double-check the axis of rotation as it affects the calculation significantly.
Remember that the distribution of mass is crucial; the same mass can have different moments of inertia based on shape.
Even with calculators, mistakes can happen, so it's important to be aware of common pitfalls.
What is the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder with mass 10 kg and radius 0.5 m?
Use the formula:
I = 0.5 * m * r²
I = 0.5 * 10 * 0.5² = 1.25 kg·m²
By applying the formula for a solid cylinder, we multiply 0.5 by the mass and the square of the radius to find the moment of inertia.
Find the moment of inertia of a solid sphere with mass 5 kg and radius 0.3 m.
Use the formula:
I = 0.4 * m * r²
I = 0.4 * 5 * 0.3² = 0.18 kg·m²
For a solid sphere, the moment of inertia is calculated using the mass and the square of the radius, multiplied by 0.4.
A rectangular plate has a mass of 15 kg, width 2 m, and height 1 m. Calculate its moment of inertia about an axis through its center.
Use the formula:
I = (1/12) * m * (w² + h²)
I = (1/12) * 15 * (2² + 1²) = 6.25 kg·m²
The moment of inertia for a rectangular plate involves the mass and the squares of the width and height, divided by 12.
Determine the moment of inertia for a hollow cylinder with mass 8 kg, outer radius 0.4 m, and inner radius 0.2 m.
Use the formula:
I = 0.5 * m * (r₁² + r₂²)
I = 0.5 * 8 * (0.4² + 0.2²) = 0.8 kg·m²
For a hollow cylinder, both the outer and inner radii are considered in the formula, multiplied by the mass and 0.5.
Calculate the moment of inertia for a solid disc with mass 12 kg and radius 0.6 m.
Use the formula:
I = 0.5 * m * r²
I = 0.5 * 12 * 0.6² = 2.16 kg·m²
A solid disc's moment of inertia is determined by the mass and square of the radius, multiplied by 0.5.
Seyed Ali Fathima S a math expert with nearly 5 years of experience as a math teacher. From an engineer to a math teacher, shows her passion for math and teaching. She is a calculator queen, who loves tables and she turns tables to puzzles and songs.
: She has songs for each table which helps her to remember the tables