; radius of gyration, suppose that a rigid body is made up of large number of identical particles; each of mass. Let r 1 , r 2 , r 3. r n be the perpendicular distances of these particles from the axisof rotation as shown in figure .Then the M.I. of the body about the axis is given by,
Thus K 2 is the mean of the squares of the distances Of the individual particles, i.e.'mean square distance of the particles from the axis. Taking root of equation
If the entire mass of the body were concentration at a distance K from the axis of rotation as shown in figure then the concentrated point mass would have moment of inertia MK 2 about ithe axis, which is the same as the moment of inertia of the body about the axis. Thus the motion of concentrated mass M about the given axis of rotation in a circle of radius K is equivalent to the rotation of the body of mass M about the axis. Therefore the quantity K is called radius if gyration of the body about its axis of rotation. It is also called root mean square distance about the axis of rotation.
Radius of gyration of a body about a given axis of rotation is defined as'the distance betiveen axis of rotation and a point at which in hole mass of the body is supposed to be concentrated so as to possess the same moment of inertia as that of the body.
Explanation Consider a disc of mass M rotating about an axis passing through its centre and perpendicular to its plane. Let I be the moment of inertia of the disc. Suppose the disc is now replaced by a single particle of same mass as that of the disc which is at distance K from the axis of rotation. It gives same M.I. as that of the disc. The moment of inertia of a single particle of mass M is,
The radius of gyration of a body depends upon, a..It is independent of mass of' the body. b.Distribution of mass ! c.Position of axis of rotation.
SI and CGS unit of radius of gyration is metre (m) and centimetre cm respectively. The dimensions of 1K are [M L 1 T] Physical significance of radius of gyration :
1. If distribution of mass within the body is close to the axis-of rotation, then the moment of inertia of the body is minimum, hence K is minimum.
2.If the distribution of mass within of the body is away from the axis of rotation, then moment of inertia is maximum. Hence value of K is maximum.
3.The radius of gyration is the measure of the distribution of mass within body. This explains the physical significance of radius of gyration the body.
The Turning Movement of a Particle About the Axis of Rotation is Called the Angular Momentum of the Particle and is Measured by the Product of the Linear Momentum and the Perpendicular Distance of the Line of Action From the Ax