Moment of Inertia

Definition

Moment of inertia refers to the rotational equivalent of mass in linear motion. It quantifies an object's resistance to changes in its rotational motion.

Analogy

Imagine a spinning top and a spinning basketball. The moment of inertia is like the "spinniness" of each object. The top, with its concentrated mass at the tip, has a smaller moment of inertia compared to the basketball, which has its mass spread out.

Related terms

Torque: Torque is the measure of how effectively a force can cause an object to rotate. It depends on both the magnitude and direction of the force applied.

Angular Momentum: Angular momentum is a property that describes an object's tendency to keep rotating at a constant speed. It depends on both the moment of inertia and angular velocity.

Rotational Kinetic Energy: Rotational kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its rotation. It depends on both the moment of inertia and angular velocity.