Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This video discusses the concept of rotational inertia. The video will cover the definition of rotational inertia, how to find it experimentally, how to calculate it from different equations, and include 2 example problems.
Below are three videos that allow you to investigate the relationship between the torque exerted on a system and the system’s angular acceleration. This is the experiment I use to introduce my students to the concept of rotational inertia. The linked conclusion discussion explains how the concept of rotational inertia is related to the collected data.
For a brief explanation of the lab purpose and procedure watch the first 4 minutes of the conclusion discussion video: youtu.be/Fh84QQIpLEw
Angular Acceleration Lab (Data Set #1): 1kg total mass at a distance of 0.6m from the axis of rotation
youtu.be/u6c29tnQCJo
Angular Acceleration Lab (Data Set #2): 1kg total mass at a distance of 0.3m from the axis of rotation
youtu.be/Gots5_IyliM
Angular Acceleration Lab (Data Set #3): 0.5kg total mass at a distance of 0.6m from the axis of rotation
youtu.be/WGW8SmDZ1q4
Angular Acceleration Conclusion Discussion: youtu.be/Fh84QQIpLEw
For more of my videos related to rotational motion SEE BELOW…
What is Torque? (15 min): youtu.be/tWyZOgy71IA
Static Equilibrium and Torque Problems (28 min): youtu.be/799PZQbeRgs
How to Find the Rotational Inertia of a System (19 min): youtu.be/XH-h71irxPA
Angular Momentum Introduction (15 min): youtu.be/mZAnKu_i7wY
Translational and Angular Momentum Conservation (10 min): youtu.be/hMB0sbO0Lf4
Orbital Motion (Energy and Angular Momentum) (16 min): youtu.be/GVQLuQSVyBc
Gravitational Potential Energy in Orbits (17 min): youtu.be/o0Fvj6Sf6DU
Work Done on Rotating Systems (5 min): youtu.be/c4np4BLRk7E
Rotational Kinetic Energy (12 min): youtu.be/Cg9mdfPN3UI
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:21 Definition of Rotational Inertia
1:36 Finding Rotational Inertia Experimentally
3:57 Finding Frictional Torque Experimentally
4:29 Example #1: Rotational Dynamics
7:11 Equation to Calculate Rotational Inertia
13:36 Parallel Axis Theorem
16:35 Example #2: Symbolic Expression with Parallel Axis Theorem
This video discusses the concept of rotational inertia. The video will cover the definition of rotational inertia, how to find it experimentally, how to calculate it from different equations, and include 2 example problems.
Below are three videos that allow you to investigate the relationship between the torque exerted on a system and the system’s angular acceleration. This is the experiment I use to introduce my students to the concept of rotational inertia. The linked conclusion discussion explains how the concept of rotational inertia is related to the collected data.
For a brief explanation of the lab purpose and procedure watch the first 4 minutes of the conclusion discussion video: youtu.be/Fh84QQIpLEw
Angular Acceleration Lab (Data Set #1): 1kg total mass at a distance of 0.6m from the axis of rotation
youtu.be/u6c29tnQCJo
Angular Acceleration Lab (Data Set #2): 1kg total mass at a distance of 0.3m from the axis of rotation
youtu.be/Gots5_IyliM
Angular Acceleration Lab (Data Set #3): 0.5kg total mass at a distance of 0.6m from the axis of rotation
youtu.be/WGW8SmDZ1q4
Angular Acceleration Conclusion Discussion: youtu.be/Fh84QQIpLEw
For more of my videos related to rotational motion SEE BELOW…
What is Torque? (15 min): youtu.be/tWyZOgy71IA
Static Equilibrium and Torque Problems (28 min): youtu.be/799PZQbeRgs
How to Find the Rotational Inertia of a System (19 min): youtu.be/XH-h71irxPA
Angular Momentum Introduction (15 min): youtu.be/mZAnKu_i7wY
Translational and Angular Momentum Conservation (10 min): youtu.be/hMB0sbO0Lf4
Orbital Motion (Energy and Angular Momentum) (16 min): youtu.be/GVQLuQSVyBc
Gravitational Potential Energy in Orbits (17 min): youtu.be/o0Fvj6Sf6DU
Work Done on Rotating Systems (5 min): youtu.be/c4np4BLRk7E
Rotational Kinetic Energy (12 min): youtu.be/Cg9mdfPN3UI
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:21 Definition of Rotational Inertia
1:36 Finding Rotational Inertia Experimentally
3:57 Finding Frictional Torque Experimentally
4:29 Example #1: Rotational Dynamics
7:11 Equation to Calculate Rotational Inertia
13:36 Parallel Axis Theorem
16:35 Example #2: Symbolic Expression with Parallel Axis Theorem
