Theory

Define Radius of Gyration.

The distance between a given reference and a point at which whole mass or area of the body is
assumed to be concentrated to given same value of I is called radius of gyration. It is generally
denoted by K. It is generally tells us about the mass distribution of the body. OR
The radius of gyration of a body rotating about an axis is defined as the distance between axis
of rotation and the point at which entire mass of the body can be supposed to be concentrated
so as to give the same moment of inertia as that of body about given axis.

Formula of Radius of Gyration

I = a × r2
I = m × r2 So that r2 = k2, M = m
I
I = M × k2 k=√
M

I
I = A × k2 k=√
A

Consider a body of mass M consisting of n particles each of mass m. Situated at distance r1, r2,
r3------- rn from the axis of rotation.
The moment of inertia about the given axis is given by

I = m1 r1 2 + m2 r2 2 + m3 r3 2 + − − mn rn 2
m1 = m2 = m3 = mn = m
I = m(r1 2 + r2 2 + r3 2 + − − rn 2 )
Divided & multiply by ‘n’
nm(r1 2 +r2 2 +r3 2 +−−rn 2 )
I= So that nm = M & I = M × k 2
n

2 M(r1 2 +r2 2 +r3 2 +−−rn 2 )

M×k =
n

2
(r +r2 2 +r3 2 +−−rn 2 )
K= √ 1
n
Application of Radius of Gyration:
 Radius of gyration can be used as center of mass in simple words about the point where
whole mass is assumed to be concentrated. So we can use it to find rotational kinetic
energy and other stuff.
 Practically used in airplanes and other automobiles which need a balance but have
irregular shape.
 Radius of gyration can is used to solve many mechanical engineering statics problems.

Radius of Gyration Derivation:

P.E = mgh
1 1
K.E = mv 2 OR K.E = I𝜔2
2 2

P. E1→2 = ∆ K.E
1
1 1
∫ mgdh = I(ω2 2 − ω1 2 ) + I(v2 2 − v1 2 )
2 2 2
so that ω1 2 = 0 , v1 2 = 0
1 1
mg |ℎ|12 = Iω2 2 + Iv2 2
2 2

Putting value I = Mk 2 or I = Mr 2 assume that v2= 𝜔2

1 2 1 2
Mg (ℎ1− ℎ2 ) = Mk 2 ω2 + Mr 2 ω2 so that M = m
2 2
1 2 1 2
mg (ℎ1− ℎ2 ) = mk 2 ω2 + mr 2 ω2
2 2
1 2 1 2
mg (ℎ1− ℎ2 ) = m ( k 2 ω2 + r 2 ω2 )
2 2
1
g (ℎ1− ℎ2 ) = ω2 2 (k 2 + r 2 )
2

2g (ℎ1− ℎ2 ) = ω2 2 (k 2 + r 2 )
2g (ℎ1− ℎ2 )
= (k 2 + r 2 )
ω2 2

2g (ℎ1− ℎ2 )
k2 = − r2
ω2 2

2g (ℎ1− ℎ2 )
K=[ − r 2 ] 1/2
ω2 2