This equation computes the mass moment of inertia of a cylinder rotating about the y-axis.

Inputs

Where the inputs are:

• m - the mass of the entire body
• h - the height of a Cylinder
• R - the radius of the cylinder.

Description

The Mass Moment of Inertia of a solid measures the solid's ability to resist changes in rotational speed about a specified axis. The larger the mass moment of inertia the smaller the angular acceleration about that axis for a given applied torque.

This equation computes the mass moment of inertia for a cylinder rotating about the y-axis as defined in the picture, which is the central axis of the cylinder. 

The mass moment of inertia varies, depending on the reference axis. And thus is often specified with two subscripts to clarify the specified axis.  This helps to provide unique definition of rotational axis in  three-dimensional motion where rotation can occur about multiple axes.

author: Carol