The resistance with which a rigid body opposes a change to its rotation is indicated by the mass moment of inertia. Here, the behaviour of the body depends on its mass and the distribution of this mass relative to the axis of rotation. Mathematically, the quotient of the rotary moment and the angular acceleration is the mass moment of inertia.

The TM 610 unit can be used to study mass moments of inertia of rotating bodies (hollow cylinder or solid cylinder). The experimental unit is clamped to a table-top plate via two support rods.

A support rod supports the rotary axis with the studied body. The rotary axis is accelerated by a weight, pulley and cable with a drum. This results in a uniformly accelerated rotational motion. Using the measured time, mass and acceleration distance, we can calculate the mass moment of inertia. Systems with different masses and mass distributions can be studied in various geometries.

Using a rotating bar with masses, it is possible to study the mass moment of inertia as a function of the radius.