Question

Four equal masses m are located at the corners of a square of side L, connected by essentially massless rods. Find the rotational inertia of this system about an axis (a) that coincides with one side and (b) that bisects two opposite sides.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

a )

Moment of inertial of four masses about axis that coincides with one side :

Out of four masses . location of two masses will lie on the axis so their moment of inertia will be zero .

Moment of inertia of the two remaining masses

= m L² + m L²

= 2 mL²

b )

Axis that bisects two opposite sides

Each of the four masses will lie at a distance of L / 2 from this axis so moment of inertia of the four masses

= 4 x m x ( L/2 )²

= 4 x mL² / 4

= m L² .