Radius of Gyration

To understand the concept of

;
radius of gyration, suppose that a rigid body is made
up of large number of identical particles; each of mass. Let r
1
, r
2
, r
3.
r
n
be the
perpendicular distances of these particles from the axisof rotation as shown in
figure .Then the M.I. of the body about the axis is given by,



Thus K
2
is the mean of the squares of the distances Of the individual particles,
i.e.'mean square distance of the particles from the axis.
Taking root of equation

If the entire mass of the body were concentration at a distance K from the axis of
rotation as shown in figure then the concentrated point mass would have moment
of inertia MK
2
about ithe axis, which is the same as the moment of inertia of the
body about the axis. Thus the motion of concentrated mass M about the given axis
of rotation in a circle of radius K is equivalent to the rotation of the body of mass M
about the axis. Therefore the quantity K is called radius if gyration of the body
about its axis of rotation. It is also called root mean square distance about the axis
of rotation.

Radius of gyration of a body about a given axis of rotation is defined as'the distance
betiveen axis of rotation and a point at which in hole mass of the body is supposed
to be concentrated so as to possess the same moment of inertia as that of the
body.

Explanation
Consider a disc of mass M rotating about an axis passing through its centre and
perpendicular to its plane. Let I be the moment of inertia of the disc.
Suppose the disc is now replaced by a single particle of same mass as that of the
disc which is at distance K from the axis of rotation. It gives same M.I. as that of
the disc. The moment of inertia of a single particle of mass M is,

The radius of gyration of a body depends upon,
a..It is independent of mass of' the body.
b.Distribution of mass !
c.Position of axis of rotation.

SI and CGS unit of radius of gyration is metre (m) and centimetre cm respectively.
The dimensions of 1K are [M L
1
T]
Physical significance of radius of gyration :

1. If distribution of mass within the body is close to the axis-of rotation, then the
moment of inertia of the body is minimum, hence K is minimum.

2.If the distribution of mass within of the body is away from the axis of rotation,
then moment of inertia is maximum. Hence value of K is maximum.

3.The radius of gyration is the measure of the distribution of mass within body. This
explains the physical significance of radius of gyration the body.