Past exam of the physics 1 paper of the University of Oxford / 2017 resit / 11 / a / Solution

For a planar lamina in the $xy$-plane and three mutually perpendicular axes through one common point, the perpendicular axis theorem is $I_z=I_x+I_y$. Indeed $I_z=\int (x^2+y^2)dm$, while $I_x=\int y^{2}dm$ and $I_y=\int x^{2}dm$. Planarity and the common axis intersection are essential.

For two parallel axes, one through the centre of mass $G$ and one a perpendicular distance $d$ away, the parallel axis theorem iswhere $M$ is the total mass. Expanding the squared distance in the defining moment of inertia integral leaves a cross term proportional to $\int {\mathbf{r}}_{G}dm=0$. The second axis need not pass through the body, and uniform density is not required, but the reference axis for $I_G$ must pass through its centre of mass.