IB Physics HL A 4 6 Hl Moment of Inertia Questions

Use moment of inertia to relate mass distribution, torque, angular acceleration, rotational energy and rolling behaviour in extended bodies.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Determine moment of inertia from the distribution of mass about a rotational axis.
  • Relate moment of inertia, torque and angular acceleration using τ = Iα and complete mark-scheme evidence.

IB Physics HL A 4 6 Hl Moment of Inertia Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

A uniform cylinder, of mass M and length L, has a moment of inertia of 112ML2\frac{1}{12} M L^{2} when rotated about an axis through its centre.

Figure for Question IB Physics HL A 4 6 Hl Moment of Inertia Questions question 1 — IB Physics HL

Question (a)

(a)

Outline what is meant by moment of inertia.

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Question (b)

(b)

Two identical cylinders, each of mass M and length L, are connected end to end. Show that the moment of inertia when these cylinders are rotated about their combined centre is 23ML2\frac{2}{3} M L^{2}.

Figure for Question (b) — IB Physics HL
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Question (c)

(c)

A two-blade propeller can be modelled using the two-cylinder arrangement in (a)(iii).

The following data for the two-blade propeller are available:
Length of each blade: 0.60 m
Mass of each blade: 2.2 kg
Show that the moment of inertia of the two-blade propeller is about 0.5 kg m20.5 \mathrm{~kg} \mathrm{~m}^{2}.

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