1. What is Flywheel Inertia?

Flywheel inertia (moment of inertia) is a measure of an object's resistance to changes to its rotation. For a solid disk flywheel, it depends on the mass and the square of the radius of the flywheel.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the flywheel inertia formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Moment of inertia (kg·m²)
• \( m \) — Mass of the flywheel (kg)
• \( r \) — Radius of the flywheel (m)

Explanation: The inertia increases with the square of the radius, meaning larger flywheels have significantly more rotational inertia than smaller ones of the same mass.

3. Importance of Flywheel Inertia

Details: Flywheel inertia is crucial in mechanical systems for energy storage, smoothing out torque fluctuations, and maintaining consistent rotational speed in engines and machinery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The radius should be measured from the center to the edge of the flywheel.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between mass and inertia?
A: Mass measures resistance to linear acceleration, while inertia measures resistance to angular acceleration.

Q2: How does flywheel shape affect inertia?
A: This calculator assumes a solid disk. Different shapes (rings, spokes) have different inertia formulas.

Q3: Why is radius squared in the formula?
A: Mass farther from the axis contributes more to rotational inertia, following a square law relationship.

Q4: What are typical inertia values for flywheels?
A: Small engine flywheels might be 0.1-1 kg·m², while industrial energy storage flywheels can be 100+ kg·m².

Q5: How does inertia affect engine performance?
A: Higher inertia smooths operation but makes acceleration slower; lower inertia allows quicker response but may cause vibration.