Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Rotational velocity refers to the rate at which an object rotates, measured in units of radians per second (rad/s). It represents how quickly an object is spinning around a fixed axis.
Angular velocity is another term used to describe rotational motion. It measures how quickly an object is rotating around an axis, but it's measured in units of degrees per second (°/s) rather than radians per second.
Tangential velocity refers to the linear speed of an object moving along its circular path. It represents how fast an object is moving tangent to its circular trajectory.
Centripetal acceleration describes the inward acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path. It is always directed towards the center of the circle and allows objects to maintain their curved trajectories.