1. What is Tangential Velocity?

Tangential velocity is the linear speed of an object moving along a circular path. It represents how fast the object would move if it suddenly left its circular path and continued in a straight line tangent to the circle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the tangential velocity formula:

Where:

• \( v_t \) — Tangential velocity (m/s)
• \( \omega \) — Angular velocity (rad/s)
• \( r \) — Radius of rotation (m)

Explanation: The tangential velocity is directly proportional to both the angular velocity and the radius of rotation.

3. Importance of Tangential Velocity

Details: Tangential velocity is crucial in understanding circular motion, designing rotating machinery, analyzing planetary orbits, and many engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter angular velocity in radians per second and radius in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angular and tangential velocity?
A: Angular velocity measures rotational speed (angle per time), while tangential velocity measures linear speed along the circular path.

Q2: How do you convert RPM to rad/s?
A: Multiply RPM by 2π/60 (1 RPM = 0.10472 rad/s).

Q3: Does tangential velocity depend on mass?
A: No, tangential velocity depends only on angular velocity and radius, not on the mass of the object.

Q4: What happens to tangential velocity if radius doubles?
A: If angular velocity remains constant, tangential velocity doubles when radius doubles.

Q5: Is tangential velocity constant in uniform circular motion?
A: Yes, in uniform circular motion (constant angular velocity), tangential velocity remains constant in magnitude.