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Cylinder (solid) - Radius of Gyration Calculator

1. What is the Radius of Gyration Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the radius of gyration (\( r_x = r_z \)) of a solid cylinder about the x or z axis (perpendicular to the cylinder's height), based on its radius (\( R \)) and height (\( h \)).

Purpose: It is used in mechanics and engineering to analyze the mass distribution of a rotating cylinder, applicable in designs involving rotating machinery, structural beams, and dynamics studies.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the relationship:

\[ r_x = r_z = \sqrt{\frac{3R^2 + 4h^2}{12}} \]

Where:

  • \( r_x = r_z \) — Radius of gyration about the x or z axis (in various units)
  • \( R \) — Radius of the cylinder's base
  • \( h \) — Height of the cylinder

Explanation: Enter the radius and height of the cylinder in the chosen units, and the calculator computes the radius of gyration. Results are displayed with 5 decimal places. For default inputs (\( R = 0.1 \, \text{m} \), \( h = 0.5 \, \text{m} \)), the calculated radius of gyration \( r_x = r_z \) is approximately 0.29306 m.

3. Importance of the Radius of Gyration

Details: The radius of gyration represents the distribution of an object's mass relative to an axis of rotation. It is crucial for calculating the moment of inertia (\( I = m \cdot r^2 \)) and understanding rotational dynamics in engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter positive values for radius and height with up to 4 decimal places (step of 0.0001), then click "Calculate." Results show the radius of gyration \( r_x = r_z \) in meters, centimeters, feet, and inches, always with 5 decimal places.

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