Three equal point masses are attached to a vertical shaft with light rods. Two masses, m and 3m, are at a distance a from the shaft. The third mass, 2m, is at a distance 2a from the shaft. The three masses and the shaft rotate as a single unit about the vertical axis through the shaft. What is the moment of inertia of this system about the vertical axis?

gpe = mass x gravity constant x height or… gpe = mgh

where… mass: measured in kilograms (kg)

gravity: gravity constant on earth = 10.00 m/s2

height: measured in meters (m)

gpe: measured in joules (j) or kilojoules (kj)

how do you solve gpe?

gravitational potential energy (gpe) is the energy an object has because of its position above the. ground.

gpe = mass x gravity constant x height or… gpe = mgh.

mass:

note: to earn full marks when solving science word problems, you must show your work:

formula.

example:

given values:

mass = 0.3 kg.