Chapter 9, Problem 1CQ

What is the difference between the tangential acceleration and the radial acceleration of a point on a rotating object?

To determine

The difference between tangential and radial acceleration.

Answer to Problem 1CQ

Tangential acceleration is the rate at which the speed changes. Radial acceleration is the rate of change of direction of the point’s velocity.

Explanation of Solution

Write the expression for acceleration.

$a=a_r\widehat{r}+a_{\theta }\widehat{\theta }$

Here, a is the acceleration, $a_r$ is the radial acceleration and $a_{\theta }$ is the tangential acceleration.

Tangential acceleration is the rate of change of speed of the particle. Whereas, radial acceleration is due to change in velocity vector.  The direction of tangential acceleration is parallel to that of instantaneous velocity.