[Physics] Calculating the moment of inertia in bifilar pendulums

homework-and-exerciseslagrangian-formalismmoment of inertianewtonian-mechanics

I'm an A2 student, and I've been looking into how experimental and theoretical determined mass moments of inertia differ.

I came across a method (search Youtube for Measuring Mass Moment of Inertia – Brain Waves.avi) that uses the rotational time period of a bifilar pendulum using a rod to calculate through an equation of mass moment of inertia of a rod.

The equation given is
$$
I=\frac{MgT^2 b^2}{4\pi^2 L}.
$$

Where

  • $I$=inertia
  • $M$=mass of rod
  • $T$=rotational time period for one rotating oscillation
  • $b$=length between where string attaches to rod and centre of gravity
  • $L$=length of string that suspends rod

I've tried looking around on the internet, but I can't find out where the equation is derived from, and I've seen others that have 16 instead of 4 for the $\pi^2$. I've also seen something to do with Lagrangian mechanics?

Best Answer

Here are some slides I put together. They may not be completely rigorous but I believe they may help you understand a simplified derivation: Slide 1 of 3

Slide 2 of 3

Slide 3