Example 8-6  Using the Parallel-Axis Theorem I

Use the parallel-axis theorem and the results of Example 8-4 to find the moment of inertia of the dumbbell in
Example 8-5 rotated about one end of the dumbbell.

Set Up
The two spheres at the ends of the dumbbell Parallel-axis theorem: rotation axis
rotation axis through one end
have the same mass, so the center of mass of the
I = ICM + Mh 2    (8-8) through the
dumbbell is at its midpoint. In Example 8-4, we center of mass h
found the moment of inertia of this dumbbell for
an axis that passes through the midpoint, so this 1.20 m 1.20 m
expression is ICM. The dumbbell in Example 8-5
is identical but has a different, parallel rotation
50.0 kg 50.0 kg
axis, so we can find its moment of inertia using
the parallel-axis theorem, Equation 8-8.

Solve
From Example 8-4, the moment of ­inertia of ICM = 144 kg # m2
the dumbbell through its center of mass is h = 1.20 m
ICM = 144 kg # m2. The axis of rotation for
the dumbbell in Example 8-5 is a distance M = 50.0 kg + 50.0 kg = 100.0 kg
h = 1.20 m from the center of mass, and the I = ICM + Mh2 = 144 kg # m2 + (100.0 kg)(1.20 m)2
= 288 kg # m2
total mass M of the dumbbell is the sum of the
masses of the two 50.0-kg spheres. Substitute
these values into the parallel-axis ­theorem.

Reflect
We get the same answer as in Example 8-5, which is a nice check that the parallel-axis theorem works.