Tangential velocity is the component of motion along the circumference of a circle measured at any point in time. Tangential velocity, as the name implies, describes the motion of an object along the circle’s edge whose direction at any given point on the circle is always along the tangent to that point.
In other words, Tangential velocity is the linear component of any object’s speed when it moves in a circular path. When an object moves in a circular path at r from the centre, the body’s velocity is always directed tangentially. This velocity is called tangential velocity.
Table of Contents
Tangential velocity formula
is tangential velocity
is angular velocity- r is the radius
- spinning an object on a string very fast and then letting it go. The object won’t continue on in a circular path.
Difference between tangential velocity and angular velocity
| Angular velocity | Tangential velocity | |
| Definition | rate of change of the position angle of an object with respect to time | a force that acts on a moving body in the direction of a tangent to the curved path of the body |
| Unit | radians per second | meter per second (m/s) |
| Formula | ω=Δ𝚹/Δ𝐭 ω = angular velocity Δ𝚹 = angular displacement Δ𝐭 = change in time | vt = ωr vt = tangential velocity ω = angular velocity r = radius |
| In terms of acceleration | Angular Acceleration is defined as the time rate of change of angular velocity. It is usually expressed in radians per second per second. | Tangential acceleration is the rate of change of tangential velocity of the matter in the circular path. |
| Factors affecting | Angular velocity is the same for all points on Earth | tangential velocity increases as the radius of an object increases because tangential velocity is directly proportional to the radius. Angular velocity is the same for all points on Earth |
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PhD Student at University College Dublin and Author at What's Insight
PhD Student who loves to write about science, technology and more. Studying at the University College in Dublin. Hope you enjoy my content.
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