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3. ROTATIONAL MOTION
Q.1 Define moment of inertia. What is its physical significance? Also write the factors on which M.I of a
body depends. (October 2008)
Ans: The moment of inertia of a body about a given axis of rotation is defined as the sum of the product of
the mass of each particle and the square of its perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation. The
SI unit of moment of inertia is kg m2 and its CGS unit is g cm2.
n
2
I  m r
i 1
i i

Factors depends on which M.I of a body depends:

(i) the mass, shape and size of the body
(ii) the distribution of mass in the body about an axis of rotation
(iii) the position and orientation of the axis of rotation.

Physical significance of moment of inertia: Moment of inertia plays the same role in rotational
motion as mass of the body does in translational motion. i.e. Moment of inertia is a quantity in
rotational motion which is analogous to mass in translational motion.
It can be explain by comparison of some physical quantities in translational and rotational
motions as given below:
Translational (Linear) motion Rotational Motion
(i) Force, F = ma Torque, T =  
(ii) 1 1
Linear K.E.  mv 2 Rotational K.E.   2
2 2
(iii) Linear Momentum, P = mv Angular Momentum L =  
By comparing the above formulae, we find that moment of inertia in rotational motion is analogous
to mass in translational motion.
In translational motion, mass represents inertia of a body i.e. the tendency of a body to
oppose a change in its state of translational motion. Similarly, moment of inertia represents inertia of
a body i.e. tendency of a body to oppose any change in its state of rotational motion.
The mass of the body always remains constant ,so its inertia.But moment of inertia of the body
depends on the positon of the axis of rotation.. It is not constant, it depends upon the shape, size and
the distribuition of mass about the axis of rotation.

Q.2 Obtain the expression for K.E. of a body rotating about a given axis of rotation. (March 2008)
Ans: Consider a rigid body having mass M rotating about an axis passing
through O with a constant angular velocity . The body consists of
‘n’ particles having masses m1, m2, m3 …. mn situated at
perpendicular distances r1, r …. rn from the axis of rotation
respectively. As the body rotates the particles also rotate about the
same axis. Let v1, v2, v3, …. vn be their linear velocities. On account
of its linear velocity, every particle possesses Kinetic Energy. Total
kinetic energy of rotating body is equal to the sum of the Kinetic
energies of all the particles
The linear speeds of the particles of masses m1 , m2 ..... mn are
given by
v1  r1 , v2  r2 .... vn  rn 

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1 1
The KE of particle of mass m1 is given by E1  m1 v12  m1r12  2
2 2
Similarly KE of other particles are given by
1 1 1
E2  m1r22 2 ; E3  m1r32 2 ....................... En  m1rn2 2
2 2 2
KE of the body is given by, E = E1 + E2 + …. + En
1 1 1
 E m1r12 2  m2 r22 2  ....  mn rn2 2
2 2 2
1
 E  [ m1 r12  m2 r22 .... mn rn2 ]  2
2
1  n 2
 2  n
2

 E    mi ri   but  mi ri  I, M.I of the body 
2  i 1   i 1 
1
 E  I 2
2
This expression gives the kinetic energy of a uniformly rotating body.

Q.3 Explain radius of gyration. What is its physical significance? (March 2008,October 2013)
Ans: The moment of inertia of a body changes when the axis of rotation changes. The distribution of mass
of a body about a given axis of rotation is indicated by a quantity called radius of gyration.

K M

(a) (b)

The radius of gyration of a body about a given axis of rotation is defined as the distance
between the axis of rotation and a point at which the whole mass of the body can be supposed to be
I
concentrated so as to possess the same moment of inertia as that of the body. K =
M
(i) Consider a disc of mass M rotating about an axis passing through its centre and
perpendicular to its plane. Let I be the MI of the disc.
(ii) Suppose the disc is replaced by a single particle having the same mass (M) as that of disc
which is at a distance K from the axis of rotation, then its MI is the same as that of disc. K is
called the radius of gyration of the disc. The Mi of the single particle I = MK2
I
 K 
M
Physical significance of radius of gyration: The M.I. of a body about a given axis depends
upon (i) mass of the body and (ii) distribution of mass about the axis of rotation. These two
ideas can be separated by expressing the M.I. as a product of mass of the body and the square
of a particular length. This length is called the radius of gyration of the body.

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The radius of gyration (K) serves as an indication of the distribution of mass about the axis of
rotation. A small value of K indicates that the mass of the body is distributed close to the axis
of rotation, so that according to the relation I = MK2, the M.I. has a small value. A large
value of K indicates that the mass is widely distributed about the axis, so that M.I. has a large
value.

Q.4 Derive the expression for torque acting on a rotating body.

Ans: The moment of the force acting on a body is called torque. Consider a rigid body of mass ‘M’
rotating with a uniform angular acceleration () about an axis passing through point ‘o’. Suppose
that the torque acting on the body is .
The linear accelerations of are different for particles having
different radii.
Imagine the body consists of ‘n’ particles of masses m1, m2
…. mn situated at distances r1, r2 …. rn from the axis of
rotation. Let v1, v2 …. vn be the linear velocity of the
particles. linear acceleration of the particle, a1  r1 
Similarly, linear accelerations for particles of mass
m2 , m3 ..... mn are given by
a2  r2 , a3  r3 .... an  rn
Force acting on the particle of mass m1 , f1  m1a  m1 r1
The torque acting on the particle,
 
 1  r1  f1  r1 f1 sin  (  90o for particles moving in
circular path)
 1  m1 r12 
Similarly torques acting on other particles,
 2  m2 r22 ;  3  m3 r32         n  mn rn2
Resultant torque acting on the body
  1   2  .....   n
   m1r12  m2 r22  ....... mn rn2
   m1 r12  m2 r22  ......  mn rn2  
n  n 
   mi ri 2  but  m1r12  I , M . I of body 
i 1  i 1 
   I
Both torque and angular acceleration are directed parallel to the axis of rotation of the body
 
  I

Torque = M.I  Angular acceleration.

S.I. unit of torque is N.m.
Dimensional formula for torque [M 1 L2 T 2 ]
Note: The rate of change of angular momentum of a body is called torque.

Q.5 Deduce an expression of total energy of body rolling on a plane surface without slipping.
(Feb 2016)
Ans : When body like sphere, wheel rolls on a surface, the motion can be treated as the combination of
both translational motion of the centre of mass and rotational motion about an axis passing
through the centre of mass.

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The total kinetic energy ‘E T ’ of the rolling motion can be given by ET  EK  ER .

Consider a body of mass ‘M’ and radius ‘R’ moving on plane surface with the translational speed
V and angular speed  .
Let ‘I’ is the moment of inertia of the body about axis passing through the centre of mass. We
1 1
know that EK  MV 2 ER  I  2
2 2
1 1 1 1
 ET  MV 2  I  2  ET  MV 2  Mk 2 2 where ‘k’ is the radius of gyration.
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 2  K2 
Using V  R ,  ET  M ( R 2 2 )  Mk 2 2 2
 2 2

 ET  M   R  K   M v 1  2 
2 2 2 2  R 

Q.6 Derive expression of velocity and acceleration of a body rolling down the smooth inclined plane
without slipping. Deduce expression of velocity and acceleration for ring, solid cylinder and solid
sphere. (March 2013)
Ans: Consider a rigid body of mass ‘M’, radius ‘R’ and radius
of gyration ‘K’ rolling down smooth inclined plane of
inclination ‘  ’ from height ‘h’.
Body starts from rest and rolls down, it loses its
gravitational potential energy. This potential
energy is converted into, Kinetic energy.

If ‘V’ is the linear speed acquired by the body when it

reaches the bottom of the inclined plane, then loss
in potential energy = gain in kinetic energy
1 2 1 2 1 2  K2  2 gh 2 gh
Mgh  MV  I   MV 1  2  V 2  2
V  ….(i)
2 2 2  R  K K2
1 2 1 2
R R
Let ‘a’ be the linear acceleration of the body while rolling down the plane.
As the body starts from rest, u = 0,
V2
V 2  0  2aS where ‘S’ is the length of the plane. a 
2S
2 gh 1 h h
Using equation (i), a  2
. But sin   S 
 K  2S S sin 
1  2 
 R 
2 gh 1 2 gh 1 g sin 
 a . a  a 
 2
K  2S  2
K   h  K2
1  2  1  2   2  1 
 R   R   sin   R2
1
For ring, K = R  V  gh and a  g sin 
2
R 4 
For solid cylinder (disc) K = V  gh and a  g sin 
2 3 3
2 10 5
For solid sphere K = R V  gh and a  g sin 
5 7 7

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Q.7 State and prove principle of parallel axes of M.I. (Feb 2015)
Ans: Theorem : The moment of inertia of a body about any axis is equal to the sum of its MI about a
parallel axis passing through its centre of mass and the product of the mass of the body and the
square of the perpendicular distance between the two parallel axes.
Proof : Consider a rigid body of mass ‘M’. Let ‘I 0 ’ be the MI of the body about an axis passing
through O and ‘I c ’ be the MI of the body about an axis passing through the centre of mass. Let h =
OC be the distance between the two parallel axes. Then by parallel axes theorem I0 = Ic + Mh2
Consider a small element of mass ‘dm’, situated at a point P. Draw perpendicular from P to Q on
the line OC produced.
(i) MI of the body about an axis passing through C,
I c   CP 2 dm ….(i)
(ii) MI of the body about an axis passing through O,
I 0   OP 2 dm ….(ii)
(iii) Total mass of the body , M =  dm ….(iii)
In OPQ:
(OP)2 = (OQ)2 + (PQ)2
= (OC + CQ)2 + (PQ)2
= (OC)2 + 2(OC) . (CQ) + (CQ)2 + (PQ)2
(OP)2 = (OC)2 + 2(OC) . (CQ) + (CP)2

Multiplying throughout by ‘dm’ and integrating, we get,

2 2 2
 (OP) dm  h  dm  2h  (CQ ). dm   (CP) dm

 dm  M  mass of the body

From (i) (ii) and (iii)
I 0  Mh 2  2h  (CQ ) dm  I c
As ‘c’ is center of mass and algebraic sum of moments of all the particles about centre of mass is
always zero
  CQ dm  0
 I 0  I c  Mh 2
NOTE : MK 0 2 = MK c 2 + Mh 2 where K 0 and K c are radius of gyration about O and C respectively

Q8 State and prove principle of perpendicular axes of M.I. (March 2010)

Ans: Theorem : The moment of inertia of a plane lamina about an axis

perpendicular to its plane is equal to the sum of its M.I. about two
mutually perpendicular axes in the plane of the lamina and intersecting
at the point where the perpendicular axis cuts the lamina I z = Ix +Iy
proof : Consider a lamina in the horizontal (X – Y) plane. Let Ix, Iy,
and Iz be the MI of the lamina about X, Y and Z axes respectively.
Then, according to the principle of perpendicular axes
Iz = Ix + Iy
Proof: Consider a small element of mass (dm) situated at the point P.
Draw perpendicular from P to X and Y axes

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M.I. of the lamina about x axis is, I x   y 2 dm   PA2 dm ….(i)

M.I. of the lamina about y axis is, I y   x 2 dm   PB 2 dm ….(ii)
M.I of the lamina about z axis is, I Z   r 2 dm   OP 2 dm ….(iii)
From OAP
(OP)2 = (OA)2 + (AP)2
r2 = x2 + y2
multiplying throughout by ‘dm’ and integrating
2 2 2
 r dm   x dm   y dm
From (i) (ii) and (iii), we get,
Iz  I y  Ix  Ix  I y
Iz  Ix  Iy
Note :
MK z 2 = MK x 2 + MK y 2 where K x , K y and K z be the radius of gyration about x, y, z axes

Q.9 State expressions for M.I

i) of a uniform rod about a transverse axis passing through its centre.
ii) of a ring about a transverse axis passing through its centre.
iii) of a uniform disc about and axis passing through its centre.
iv) of a solid cylinder about an axis passing through its center and perpendicular to Geometric
axis.
v) of a uniform solid sphere about an axis passing through its diameter. (October 2015)

Ans (i):Moment of inertia of a thin uniform rod of mass M and length

l rotating about an axis passing through its centre and
Ml 2
perpendicular to its length is given by I c 
12

Ans(ii): Moment of inertia a thin ring of mass M and radius R, rotating about an axis
passing through its centre O and perpendicular to its plane is given by
 I  MR 2

Ans(iii): Moment of inertia a thin circular disc of mass M and radius R rotating about
an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane is given by
1
I C  MR 2
2

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Ans(iv):Moment of inertia a solid cylinder of mass ‘M’, length l and radius ‘R’ rotating about an axis
MR 2 Ml 2
perpendicular to its own (geometric) axis is given by I  
4 12

Ans(v): Moment of inertia a solid uniform sphere of mass M, radius R and density  rotating about an axis
coinciding with its diameter is given by
2
I  MR 2
5

Q10 Deduce expressions for M.I. of a ring (i) about its diameter(ii) about its tangent perpendicular to the
plane and tangent coinciding with the plane of ring. Assume that ring is rotating about an axis
passing through the center and perpendicular to the plane with M.I.
I  MR2
Ans: Applications :
(i) M.I of a ring about a diameter
M.I of ring about an axis passing through the
centre and perpendicular to the plane
Ic = MR2

By perpendicular axes theorem

Iz = Ix + Iy
but I z  I c and for a ring I x  I y
Ic  2 I x  2I y

Wet I x  I y  I d ( I d  M .I of a ring about diameters)

 I c = Id + Id
 MR2 = 2Id
MR 2
 Id 
2

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(ii) M.I. of a ring about a tangent perpendicular to the

plane.
M.I. of a ring about an axis passing through the
centre and perpendicular to its length
Ic = MR2. Since the axis passing through the rim
of the ring, using parallel to axes theorem
IT = Ic + Mh2
= MR2 + MR2 (h = R)
I T  2 MR 2

(iii) M.I of a ring about an axis coinciding with a

tangent in the plane of the ring.
MR 2
M.I of a ring about a diameter I d 
2
Diameter of the ring is parallel to axis
coinciding with a tangent in the plane.
 By parallel axes theorem I0 = Ic + Mh2
I0 = IT . Ic = Id and h = R
MR 2
 IT   MR 2
2
3
 IT  MR 2
2

Q11 Define angular momentum of a body. Obtain an expression for angular momentum of a body. Also
give its units and dimensions. (October 2015)
  
Ans: The moment of linear momentum of a body is called angular momentum L  r  p .The direction
of angular momentum is perpendicular to the plane formed by r and p
Consider a rigid body rotating about an axis passing through O with a constant angular velocity .
Suppose the body consists of ‘n’ particles of masses m1, m2 …. mn situated at distances r1, r2 …. rn
from the axis of rotation respectively. Let v1, v2 …. vn be the linear velocities of the particles.

Linear velocity of the particle of mass m1, v1 = r1 

Linear momentum of the particle, p1 = m1v1 = m1r1
Angular momentum of the particle, L1 = p1 r1,
 L1 = m1 r12 
Similarly angular momentum of other particles
L2  m2 r22 , L3  m3 r22 .... Ln  mn rn2
Resultant angular momentum of the body,
L = L1 + L2 …. + Ln
L2  m2 r22 , L3  m3 r22 .... Ln  mn rn2  (mi ri 2 ) 
L  I
Kgm2
S.I. Units 
S
Dimensions   M 1 L2 T 1 

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Q.12 State and prove conservation of angular momentum: (October 2015)

Ans: It States that, the angular momentum of a body is conserved or remains constant, if the resultant
external torque acting on the body is zero. 
Consider a particle rotating  about an axis with torque ‘’ Let P be the linear momentum of the
particle of mass ‘m’ and r be its position vector.
By definition, angular momentum is given by equation
  
Lr p
Differentiating above equation with respect to time, we get

dL d  
 (r  p )
dt dt
  
dL  dp  dr
 r  p
dt dt dt
 
dr  dp   
But  v,  F and p  mv
dt dt
Equation becomes.

dL    
dt

rF m vv 

dL    
  r  F  0 v  v  0
dt
  
But rF 

dL 
 
dt

dL
Now if resultant external external torque () acting on the particle is zero, then 0
dt

 L is constant
Angular momentum of the system remains constant or conserved.

Q.13 Write examples of conservation of angular momentum.

Ans: (i) A ballet dancer or an acrobat skating on ice makes an intelligent use of the law of
conservation of angular momentum during his performance. While rotating about a
vertical axis with both his hands and one leg outstretched, his M.I. is greater and hece his
speed of rotation is smaller. However when he brings his hands and the leg close to this
body, his M.I. decreases and his speed or rotation increases so that he begin to spin quite
rapidly.

(ii) An ice skater or a ballet dance takes advantage of the principle of conservation of angular
momentum (i.e. I = constant), by stretching out arms and legs or vice-versa. On doing so,
their moment of inertia increases / decreases. Hence angular velocity () decreases /
increases accordingly.

(iii) During the diving competition, a diver increases his speed of rotation by curling his body
together so that his M.I. decreases. However when he is about to strike the surface of
water, he stretches his body so that his speed of rotation is reduced.

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Formulae

Formulae S.I. Unit

1 If a constant couple acts on the body which is free to rotate about a given axis passing through it, the
equations of rotational motion of the body are as follows:
(a) t  0   . t radian
sec
1 2
(b)   0 t 
t radian
2 rad2/ sec2
2 2
(c) t  0  2 
where 0  initial angular velocity
t  angular velocity after ‘t’ sec
  constant angular acceleration
  angular displacement
2 1 Joule (J)
K.E. of a rotating body, E  I 2
2
3 Joule (J)
1 1 1  K2 
K.E. of a rolling body, E  I  2  Mv 2  Mv 2  1  2 
2 2 2  R 
K2
(a) For a ring, 2  1  K .E.  Mv2
R
K2 1 3
(b) For a disc 2
  K .E.  Mv 2
R 2 4
2
K 2 7
(c) For a sphere 2   K .E.  Mv 2
R 5 10
4  = I N.m
5 When a body rotates about a fixed axis through an angle  under the action of a couple , work done is Joule (J)
given by, W = 
6 dW d Watt (W)
Power P     [W    ]
dt dt
7 M.I of a body,
n
I  m i ri 2  MK 2 kg m2
i 1

where K  radius of gyration m

8 The angular momentum, kg m2
L=I
s
9 From law of conservation of angular momentum,
I1 1 = I2 2
10 =2n Rad/sec
11 Perpendicular axes theorem kg m2
Iz  Ix  Iy K 2  MK x 2  MK y 2
12 Parallel axes theorem kg m2
2 2 2 2
I 0  I c  Mh K0  Kc  h
13 m/sec
2 gh
When a body roles on smooth inclined plane of height ‘h’. V  and acceleration
K2
1 2
R
g sin 
a
K2
1 2 m/sec
2
R

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Problems
1. Calculate the M.I. of thin uniform rod of mass 10 g and length 60 cm, about an axis perpendicular to
its length and passing through its centre and one end.
[Ans: 3  104 kgm2, 1.2  103 kgm2]

2. A uniform disc of mass 5 kg has a radius of 0.5 m. Calculate its M.I about an axis perpendicular to
its plane and passing thorough (i) its centre and (ii) a point on its circumference.
[Ans: (i) 0.625 kgm2 (ii) 1.875 kgm2]

3. A torque of 2000 Nm acting on a body produces an angular acceleration of 2 rad/s2. Find the M.I. of
the body.
[Ans : 1000 kgm2]

4. Calculate the K.E. of a flywheel of mass 10 kg and radius 30 cm, if its speed of rotation is 30 r.p.m.
(Note: A flywheel is a disc rotating about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to its
plane).
[Ans: 2.22 J]

5. State the expression for the M.I of a thin, uniform rod about an axis passing through its centre and
perpendicular to its length. Hence derive an expression for the M.I. of the ord about a parallel axis
passing through one of its ends.
[Ans: Ml2 / 3]

2
6. The M.I. of a solid sphere about its diameter is MR 2 , where M and R are its mass and radius
5
respectively. Determine the M.I. of the sphere about its tangent.
7
[Ans: MR 2 ]
5

7. The radius of gyration of a body about an axis at a distance of 12 cm, from its C.M. is 13 cm. Find its
radius of gyration about a parallel axis passing through its C.M.
[Ans: 5 cm]

8. Assuming the earth to be a homogeneous sphere of mass 6  1024 kg and radius 6400 km, find its
angular momentum about its axis of rotation.
2
(M.I. of a sphere about a diameter  MR 2 )
5
33 2
[Ans : 7.145  10 kgm /s]

9. The M.I. of the earth about its axis of rotation is 9.83  1037 kg m2 and if its angular velocity is 7.3 
105 rad/s. Calculate, (a) Kinetic energy of rotation (b) Radius of gyration [Mass of earth = 6  1024
kg]
[Ans: (a) 2.62  1029 J (b) 4.04  106 m]

10. Moment of inertia of a disc about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane is
10kg-m2.Find its moment of inertia about the diameter. (October 2010)
2
[Ans: 1.66 kg-m ]

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ANDHERI / BORIVALI / DADAR / NERUL / POWAI / THANE

11. A wheel of moment of inertia 1 kgm2 is rotating at the speed of 40 rad/s.Due to friction on the
axis,the wheel comes to rest in 10 mins.Calculate the angular momentum of the wheel, two mins
before it comes to rest. (March 2013)
2
[Ans:8 kg.m /sec]

12. A ballet dancer spins about a vertical axis at 2.5π rad/s. with his both arms outstretched. With the
arms folded, the moment of inertia about the same axis of rotation changes by 25%.Calculate the
new rotation in r.p.m. (October 2013)
[Ans: 100 r.p.m]

13. A solid cylinder of uniform density of radius 2cm has mass of 50g.If its length is 12cm, calculate its
moment of inertia about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to its length.(Feb 2014)
[Ans:650 g-cm2]

14. A body starts rotating from rest. Due to a couple of 20Nm it completes 60 revolutions in one minute.
Find the moment of inertia of the body. (October 2014)
2
[Ans: 95.54 kg-m ]

15. A horizontal disc is freely rotating about a transverse axis passing through its centre at the rate of 100
revolutions per minute. A 20 gram blob of wax falls on the disc and sticks to the disc at a distance of
5cm from its axis. Moment of inertia of the disc about its axis passing through its centre of mass is
2x10-4 kg m2.Calculate the new frequency of rotation of the disc. (Feb 2015)
[Ans: 80 r.p.m]

16. A solid sphere of mass 1 kg rolls on a table with linear speed 2 m/s, find its total kinetic energy.
[Ans: E=2.8 J.) (Feb 2017)

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