Moment of Inertia

by: Michael Horton

This inquiry activity is intended to be an introduction to moment of inertia beyond just mathematical calculations. It provides some background in moment of inertia and allows students to discover that the distribution of mass in the object affects its moment of inertia and therefore its rotation. Soup cans are cylinders, but the thickness of the soup inside them will determine whether they act like a thin-walled hollow cylinder, a thick-walled hollow cylinder, or a solid cylinder.

Details

Type Book ChapterPub Date 5/30/2009Stock # PB240X_20

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

Learn More