moment of inertia

noun phrase

: a measure of the resistance of a body to angular acceleration about a given axis that is equal to the sum of the products of each element of mass in the body and the square of the element's distance from the axis

Examples of moment of inertia in a Sentence

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In doing so the robot changes its moment of inertia and hence its spin rate, much like an ice skater pulling her arms in to accelerate her rotation. IEEE Spectrum, 22 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moment of inertia was in 1830

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Cite this Entry

“Moment of inertia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moment%20of%20inertia. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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