Lessons â€ē 2 Mechanics â€ē 2.5 Rotational MechanicsPrevious lessonNext lesson

2.5.4 Moment of Inertia

By the end of this lesson you can:

  • Define moment of inertia
  • Compare the rotational inertia of different shapes and mass distributions
  • Relate moment of inertia to torque and angular acceleration
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Learn the idea: a short explanation, then a check.
When an object moves, we say the object has kinetic energy by way of its motion. Its kinetic energy is a result of both its velocity and its mass.
If the motion is translational, then how that mass is distributed in the object is inconsequential and we use the object's centre of mass (CoM) as a reference point.

However, if an object is moving ROTATIONALLY then how the mass is distributed around its CoM is an important consideration.

​This leads the term, moment of inertia 




​We now can introduce the idea of moment of inertia.
​Moment of Inertia is the rotational equivalent to mass, in a rotational situation. This video examines how it works.
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Test your predictions in a simulation.