Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
Tangential velocity refers to the instantaneous linear speed of an object moving along a curved path. It represents how fast an object is moving in the direction tangent to its circular path.
This term refers to the acceleration experienced by an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle.
Angular Velocity: Angular velocity is the rate at which an object rotates around a fixed axis. It measures how quickly an object is changing its angular position.
Centripetal force is the net force acting on an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle. It keeps objects from flying off their circular paths.