[Physics] Polar moment of inertia of a cylinder

homework-and-exercisesmoment of inertianewtonian-mechanics

So I know the polar moment of inertia of a solid cylinder is:
$$
I= \frac{1}{2} mr^2
$$

My question arises with the polar moment of inertia uses for solid cylinders in my mechanics of materials book, which is:
$$
J=\frac{\pi}{2}r^4
$$
Don't these describe the same thing? Or am I mistaken in this, or simply overlooking something?

Best Answer

Obviously $J$ is something different from $I$ because the units would be different. OTOH, they are related. Consider this idea and see if you can see what their relationship is.

The mass of the cylinder is given by $m = \rho V$, and the volume of a cylinder is $V=LA$, where $L$ is the height (or length) of the cylinder and $A=\pi r^2$, the cross sectional area.

I think you can take it from there to find the connection.

EDIT: J is the polar moment of inertia of the area, not the mass. $$ J=\int r^2 dA $$

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