A Project in the Determination of the Moment of Inertia

Abstract

Analysis of the forces involved in mechanical systems requires an understanding of the dynamic properties of the system's components. In this work, a project on the determination of both the location of the centre of mass and inertial properties is described. The project involves physical testing, the proposal of approximate models, and the comparison of results. The educational goal of the project is to give students and appreciation of second mass moments and the validity of assumptions that are often applied in component modelling. This work reviews relevant equations of motion and discusses techniques to determine or estimate the centre of mass and second moment of inertia. An example project problem and solutions are presented. The value of such project problems within a first course on the theory of mechanisms is discussed.

Keywords

theory of mechanism projects dynamics inertia determination physical testing approximate models

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