{"id":70,"date":"2021-02-02T12:07:18","date_gmt":"2021-02-02T17:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/?post_type=chapter&p=70"},"modified":"2025-08-01T18:10:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T22:10:06","slug":"inertia-intro-different-kinds-of-inertia","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/chapter\/inertia-intro-different-kinds-of-inertia\/","title":{"raw":"7.3 Types of Inertia","rendered":"7.3 Types of Inertia"},"content":{"raw":"There are multiple kinds of inertia. In this course, when we talk about inertia, we usually refer to the mass moment of inertia. For this course, you need to know the names of three types of moment of inertia (MOI), when to use each, and the units for each.\r\n\r\nArea moment of inertia is used in structures to determine how stiff a beam is or how much it will deflect. The unit is m4<\/sup> or ft4<\/sup>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1560\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"]\"Diagram Source: Sonitron Support https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Piezo_bending_principle.jpg[\/caption]\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nProduct moment of inertia is a shaft's resistance to torsion (or twisting).\u00a0The unit is m4<\/sup> or ft4<\/sup>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1561\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"347\"]\"A Source: Orion8 https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Twisted_bar.png[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe mass moment of inertia is the rotational equivalent of mass. A really heavy object is hard to move, hence it resists motion. An object with a really big inertia is hard to rotate, hence it resists rotation. Inertia is a quantity of how mass is distributed around a body, such as an ice skater spinning with their arms in or spread out. The unit is kgm2<\/sup> or slugft2<\/sup>. We will talk more about the mass moment of inertia in the next sections.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1562\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"146\"]\"A Source: K. \"bird\" https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Elena_Sokolova_04_NHK_2.jpg[\/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1563\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"269\"]\"A Source: Sandro Halank https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:2020-01-11_Women%27s_Single_Figure_Skating_Short_Program_(2020_Winter_Youth_Olympics)_by_Sandro_Halank%E2%80%93668.jpg[\/caption]\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n

Here is a table summarizing the three types of inertia:<\/p>\r\n\"A\r\n

\r\n\r\nA moment integral<\/strong>, as the name implies, is the general concept using integration to determine the net moment of a force that is spread over an area or volume. Because moments are generally a force times a distance, and because distributed forces are spread out over a range of distances, we will need to use calculus to determine the net moment exerted by a distributed force.\r\n

[latex]\\int M = \\int f (d) * d[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nBeyond the most literal definition of a moment integral, the term 'moment integral' is also generally applied to the process of integrating distributed areas or masses that will be resisting some moment about a set axis.\r\n\r\nSome of the applications of moment integrals include:\r\n

    \r\n \t
  1. Finding point loads that are equivalent to distributed loads (the equivalent point load<\/strong>)<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Finding the centroid<\/strong> (geometric center) or center of mass<\/strong> for 2D and 3D shapes.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Finding the area moment of inertia<\/strong> for a beam cross section, which will be one factor in that beam's resistance to bending.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Finding the polar area moment of inertia<\/strong> for a shaft cross section, which will be one factor in that shaft's resistance to torsion.<\/li>\r\n \t
  5. Finding the mass moment of inertia indicates a body's resistance to angular accelerations.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nWhen looking at moment integrals, there are a number of different types of moment integrals. These will include moment integrals in one dimension, two dimensions, and three dimensions, moment integrals of force functions, of areas\/volumes, or of mass distributions, first-order or second-order moment integrals, and rectangular or polar moment integrals.\r\n\r\nAny combination of these different types is possible (for example, a first, rectangular, 2D, area moment integral or a second, polar, 3D, mass moment integral). However, only some combinations will have practical applications and will be discussed in detail on future pages.\r\n

    1D, 2D, and 3D Moment Integrals<\/h3>\r\nTechnically, we can take the moment integral in any number of dimensions, but for practical purposes, we will never deal with moment integrals beyond 3 dimensions. The number of dimensions will affect the complexity of the calculations (with 3D Moment integrals being the most involved than 1D or 2D moment integrals), but the nature of the problem will dictate the dimensions needed. Often, this is not listed in the type of moment integral, requiring you to assume the type based on the context of the problem.\r\n

    Force, Area\/Volume, and Mass Moments Integrals<\/h4>\r\nThe next distinction in moment integrals regards what we are integrating. Generally, we can integrate force functions over some distance, area, or volume, we can integrate the area or volume function itself, or we can integrate the mass distribution over the area or volume. Each of these types of moment integrals has a different purpose and will start with a different mathematical function to integrate, but the integration process beyond that will be very similar.\r\n

    First vs. Second Moments Integrals<\/h4>\r\nFor moment integrals, we will always be multiplying the force function, area or volume function, of the mass distribution function by a distance, or a distance squared. First moment integrals just multiply the initial function by the distance, while second moment integrals multiply the function by the distance squared. Again, the type of moment integral we will use depends upon our application, with things like equivalent point load, centroids, and center of mass relying on first moment integrals, and area moments of inertia, polar moments of inertia, and mass moments of inertia relying on second moment integrals. As you can probably deduce from this list, second moment integrals are often labelled as a 'moment of inertia<\/strong>'\r\n

    Rectangular vs. Polar Moments Integrals<\/h4>\r\nFinally, we will talk about rectangular moments integrals<\/strong> versus polar moments integrals<\/strong>. This is a difference in how we define the distance in our moment integral. Let's start with the distinction in 2D. If our distance is measured from some axis (for example the x-axis, or the y-axis) then it is a rectangular moment integral. If on the other hand the distance is measured from some point (such as the origin) then it is a polar moment integral.\r\n
    <\/figure>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1555\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]\"Irregular In 2D, if we measure the distance from some axis (similar to what x and y do here), then we have a rectangular moment integral. If we measure the distance from some point (such as r does) then we have a polar moment integral.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThis distinction is important for how we will take the integral. For rectangular moment integrals, we will move left to right or bottom to top. For polar moment integrals, we will instead take the integral by radiating out from the center point.\r\n\r\nIn three-dimensional problems, the definitions change slightly. For rectangular moment integrals, the distance will be measured from some plane (such as the xy plane, xz plane, or yz plane). Again, we will integrate left to right, bottom to top, or now back to front, with distances corresponding to the x, y or z coordinates of that point. For a polar moment integrals, the distance will be measured from some axis (such as the x, y, or z axis), and we will integrate by radiating outward from that axis.\r\n\r\nSource: Jacob Moore et al. http:\/\/mechanicsmap.psu.edu\/websites\/A2_moment_intergrals\/moment_integrals\/momentintegrals.html<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

    \r\n\r\nBasically<\/em>: There are many types of inertia, including area, product, and mass. They have different units and represent different physical quantities of an object.\r\n\r\nApplication: A beam's resistance to bending (area moment of inertia), a shaft's resistance to torsion (product\/polar moment of inertia), and an object's resistance to rotation (mass moment of inertia).<\/i>\r\n\r\nLooking Ahead<\/em>: Area and product moment of inertia will be covered more in structures. The mass moment of inertia is used in statics and dynamics. The next section will look at how to calculate the mass moment of inertia.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

    There are multiple kinds of inertia. In this course, when we talk about inertia, we usually refer to the mass moment of inertia. For this course, you need to know the names of three types of moment of inertia (MOI), when to use each, and the units for each.<\/p>\n

    Area moment of inertia is used in structures to determine how stiff a beam is or how much it will deflect. The unit is m4<\/sup> or ft4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

    \"Diagram
    Source: Sonitron Support https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Piezo_bending_principle.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Product moment of inertia is a shaft’s resistance to torsion (or twisting).\u00a0The unit is m4<\/sup> or ft4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

    \"A
    Source: Orion8 https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Twisted_bar.png<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The mass moment of inertia is the rotational equivalent of mass. A really heavy object is hard to move, hence it resists motion. An object with a really big inertia is hard to rotate, hence it resists rotation. Inertia is a quantity of how mass is distributed around a body, such as an ice skater spinning with their arms in or spread out. The unit is kgm2<\/sup> or slugft2<\/sup>. We will talk more about the mass moment of inertia in the next sections.<\/p>\n

    \"A
    Source: K. “bird” https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Elena_Sokolova_04_NHK_2.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"A
    Source: Sandro Halank https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:2020-01-11_Women%27s_Single_Figure_Skating_Short_Program_(2020_Winter_Youth_Olympics)_by_Sandro_Halank%E2%80%93668.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Here is a table summarizing the three types of inertia:<\/p>\n

    \"A<\/p>\n

    \n

    A moment integral<\/strong>, as the name implies, is the general concept using integration to determine the net moment of a force that is spread over an area or volume. Because moments are generally a force times a distance, and because distributed forces are spread out over a range of distances, we will need to use calculus to determine the net moment exerted by a distributed force.<\/p>\n

    [latex]\\int M = \\int f (d) * d[\/latex]<\/p>\n

    Beyond the most literal definition of a moment integral, the term ‘moment integral’ is also generally applied to the process of integrating distributed areas or masses that will be resisting some moment about a set axis.<\/p>\n

    Some of the applications of moment integrals include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Finding point loads that are equivalent to distributed loads (the equivalent point load<\/strong>)<\/li>\n
    2. Finding the centroid<\/strong> (geometric center) or center of mass<\/strong> for 2D and 3D shapes.<\/li>\n
    3. Finding the area moment of inertia<\/strong> for a beam cross section, which will be one factor in that beam’s resistance to bending.<\/li>\n
    4. Finding the polar area moment of inertia<\/strong> for a shaft cross section, which will be one factor in that shaft’s resistance to torsion.<\/li>\n
    5. Finding the mass moment of inertia indicates a body’s resistance to angular accelerations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      When looking at moment integrals, there are a number of different types of moment integrals. These will include moment integrals in one dimension, two dimensions, and three dimensions, moment integrals of force functions, of areas\/volumes, or of mass distributions, first-order or second-order moment integrals, and rectangular or polar moment integrals.<\/p>\n

      Any combination of these different types is possible (for example, a first, rectangular, 2D, area moment integral or a second, polar, 3D, mass moment integral). However, only some combinations will have practical applications and will be discussed in detail on future pages.<\/p>\n

      1D, 2D, and 3D Moment Integrals<\/h3>\n

      Technically, we can take the moment integral in any number of dimensions, but for practical purposes, we will never deal with moment integrals beyond 3 dimensions. The number of dimensions will affect the complexity of the calculations (with 3D Moment integrals being the most involved than 1D or 2D moment integrals), but the nature of the problem will dictate the dimensions needed. Often, this is not listed in the type of moment integral, requiring you to assume the type based on the context of the problem.<\/p>\n

      Force, Area\/Volume, and Mass Moments Integrals<\/h4>\n

      The next distinction in moment integrals regards what we are integrating. Generally, we can integrate force functions over some distance, area, or volume, we can integrate the area or volume function itself, or we can integrate the mass distribution over the area or volume. Each of these types of moment integrals has a different purpose and will start with a different mathematical function to integrate, but the integration process beyond that will be very similar.<\/p>\n

      First vs. Second Moments Integrals<\/h4>\n

      For moment integrals, we will always be multiplying the force function, area or volume function, of the mass distribution function by a distance, or a distance squared. First moment integrals just multiply the initial function by the distance, while second moment integrals multiply the function by the distance squared. Again, the type of moment integral we will use depends upon our application, with things like equivalent point load, centroids, and center of mass relying on first moment integrals, and area moments of inertia, polar moments of inertia, and mass moments of inertia relying on second moment integrals. As you can probably deduce from this list, second moment integrals are often labelled as a ‘moment of inertia<\/strong>‘<\/p>\n

      Rectangular vs. Polar Moments Integrals<\/h4>\n

      Finally, we will talk about rectangular moments integrals<\/strong> versus polar moments integrals<\/strong>. This is a difference in how we define the distance in our moment integral. Let’s start with the distinction in 2D. If our distance is measured from some axis (for example the x-axis, or the y-axis) then it is a rectangular moment integral. If on the other hand the distance is measured from some point (such as the origin) then it is a polar moment integral.<\/p>\n

      <\/figure>\n
      \"Irregular
      In 2D, if we measure the distance from some axis (similar to what x and y do here), then we have a rectangular moment integral. If we measure the distance from some point (such as r does) then we have a polar moment integral.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      This distinction is important for how we will take the integral. For rectangular moment integrals, we will move left to right or bottom to top. For polar moment integrals, we will instead take the integral by radiating out from the center point.<\/p>\n

      In three-dimensional problems, the definitions change slightly. For rectangular moment integrals, the distance will be measured from some plane (such as the xy plane, xz plane, or yz plane). Again, we will integrate left to right, bottom to top, or now back to front, with distances corresponding to the x, y or z coordinates of that point. For a polar moment integrals, the distance will be measured from some axis (such as the x, y, or z axis), and we will integrate by radiating outward from that axis.<\/p>\n

      Source: Jacob Moore et al. http:\/\/mechanicsmap.psu.edu\/websites\/A2_moment_intergrals\/moment_integrals\/momentintegrals.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      \n
      \n

      Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

      \n

      Basically<\/em>: There are many types of inertia, including area, product, and mass. They have different units and represent different physical quantities of an object.<\/p>\n

      Application: A beam’s resistance to bending (area moment of inertia), a shaft’s resistance to torsion (product\/polar moment of inertia), and an object’s resistance to rotation (mass moment of inertia).<\/i><\/p>\n

      Looking Ahead<\/em>: Area and product moment of inertia will be covered more in structures. The mass moment of inertia is used in statics and dynamics. The next section will look at how to calculate the mass moment of inertia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-70","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":64,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/70","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/70\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2871,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/70\/revisions\/2871"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/64"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/70\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=70"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=70"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.upei.ca\/statics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}