Introduction to Radius of Gyration Moment of Inertia

The moment of inertia of a point mass about a known axis is defined by I = mr 2  where
m is its mass and r is its perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation.
The moment of inertia of a rigid body about an axis is defined as the sum of the
products of the masses of different particles, supposed to be constituting the
body, and the square of their respective perpendicular distances from the axis of
rotation.
If we compare the moments of inertia of a person rotating about an axis passing through
the centre of mass with folded hands and stretched hands, the moment of inertia with
stretched hands is greater. Because the distance of the particles of hands are at greater
distance when the hands are stretched.
Moment of inertia is also called rotational inertia.
Moment of Inertia : Radius of Gyration
Radius of gyration of a rigid body about an axis of rotation is the distance between the
axis of rotation and a point at which the whole mass of the body can be supposed to be
concentrated b\so that its moment of inertia would be the same with the actual
distribution of mass.

Moment of Inertia : Radius of Gyration Calculation

Consider a rigid body of mass M rotating about an axis of rotation OO'. We can imagine
that the whole mass M is concentrated at a point P. Its perpendicular distance from the
axis of rotation is radius of gyration denoted by K as shown in the above figure. The
moment of inertia of the body about the axis OO' = Mk 2 . This must be equal to the
moment of inertia of the body with the actual distribution of mass  i.e.,

                                                                  I  =  Mk2   =     m1r12  

                                                                         K  =      .
Its S I unit is m and CGS unit is cm. Dimensional formula of Radius of gyration : As it is
equal to the distance , the dimensional formula of   [K]    =   [M0LT0] .
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