3‐D simulator for moments of inertia

This article describes the concept, design, implementation, and preliminary classroom experience of a computer‐based, three‐dimensional simulator for moments of inertia of uniform solid bodies. Rotation angles about each of three Cartesian axes are user‐adjustable. The moment of inertia tensor is updated in real time with any axis rotation. Simultaneously, a square‐matrix bar graph shows the relative rates of change of each tensor element. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 7: 221–226, 1999