Tangential Velocity Formula: Definition, Solved Examples

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Tangential Velocity is part of the speed line of any object moving in a circular motion. If an object travels in a circular motion at a distance ‘r’ from the centre, then the body speed is automatically adjusted at any time. This is called tangential velocity. Also, we can say that line speed is its tangential speed at any time. Tangential Velocity is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction. The direction will remain tangent in the movement circle.

Table of Contents

What is Tangential Velocity?
Tangential velocity formula
Tangential Acceleration
Things to Remember
Sample Questions

Key Terms: Speed, Tangential Acceleration, Circular Motion, Tangential Acceleration, Angular Velocity

What is Tangential Velocity?

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Tangential velocity can be defined as the linear component of a moving object in circular motion. Imagine a small object tied to a rope, around a fixed place. An object cannot go farther than the length of the thread, so if it continues in a constant motion, its movement will be circular. From the top to the bottom, the object is just a circle, and the string is the width of that circle. We can hence say that the object possesses angular velocity as it rotates in a circular motion with a certain number of radians per second.

Circular Motion of Object and Tangential Velocity

Circular Motion of Object and Tangential Velocity

Read More: Equation of Motion

Tangential Velocity Formula

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Tangential Velocity formula is mathematically represented as,

V_t = ω r

where, r is the radius of the circular path and ω is the angular velocity.

The given formula is applied in calculating the tangential velocity of any object moving in a circular path. It is expressed in metre per second (m/s).

Tangential Acceleration

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Tangential Acceleration is the rate of change of speed in an area where indirect movement occurs. It remains perpendicular to the centripetal acceleration at that time. Therefore, the rate of change of tangential velocity somewhere in a circular orbit is called tangential acceleration. Mathematically,

Tangential Acceleration mathematically

where, at is the tangential acceleration, dv / ds is change in tangential velocity with respect to change in displacement and d²s / ds is change in displacement with respect to time.

Tangential Acceleration

Tangential Acceleration

Things To Remember

An object speed is systematically directed at any time when an object moves in a circular motion at a distance from the centre known as tangential velocity.
Angular velocity is related to tangential velocity as the latter is the product of angular velocity ‘ω’ and ‘r’ is the radius of the circular path.
The angular velocity is represented by ‘ω’ and tangential velocity is represented by ‘Vt’.
A line that touches a non-line curve in only one place is called a tangent. It represents the relationship and number between the ‘x’ and ‘y’ links in the graph.
Tangential speed can be calculated by dividing the circumference of the circular path by the amount of time the object takes to complete one rotation.

Solved Examples

Ques. If the angular velocity of the wheel is 40 rad / s, and the wheel width is 60 cm, calculate the tangential velocity. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Radius, r = ½ x 60 cm = r = 30 cm = 0.30 m

Angular velocity, ω = 40 rad / s

The tangential velocity formula is given by

V_r = rω

Substituting the values, we get,

V_r = 40 x 0.30 = 12 m / s

Ques. If the wheel is moving at 10 m / sec, and the angular speed is 5 radians / second, calculate the wheel radius. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Tangential Velocity, V_r= 10 m / sec

Angular velocity, ω, = 5 radians / second

Using the tangential velocity formula,

V_r= ω r

V_r/ ω = r = 10/5 = 2 m

Ques. The body runs in the same way on a circular road with a speed of 10 m / s to 20m / s in 4s. Calculate its tangential acceleration. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Initial velocity = 10 m / s,

Final velocity v = 20 m / s,

Speed change dv = v - u = 20 - 10 = 10 m / s

Time taken dt = 4s

Tangential acceleration = at = dv / dt = 10/4 = 2.5 m / s².

Ques. If the angular velocity of a rotating bicycle wheel is 42 rad / s, and the wheel width is 68 cm, what is the tangential velocity? (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Radius, r = 1/2 x 68 cm = 34 cm = 0.34 m.

Angular velocity, ω = 42 rad / s.

Using equation of tangential speed, we get,

V_t = ω r

V_t = (42 rad / sec) x 0.34 m = 14.28 m / s

Ques. Tangential velocity, V_t = 12 m / sec. Angular velocity, ω, is 6 radians / second. Use the tangential velocity formula to find the radius, r. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

V_t = ω r

V_t / ω = r

Substituting the given values in equation, we get,

(12 m / sec) / (6 radians / sec) = r = 2 m.

Ques. The angular velocity of the circular ring is 20 rad / s, and its diameter is 20 cm. Find its tangential speed. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Angular velocity, ω = 20 rad / s,

Round diameter, d = 20 cm.

Therefore, Radius, r = 20 cm / 2 = 10 cm = 0.1 m

Tangential velocity = V_t = r × ω

= 0.1 m × 20 rad / s

= 2 m / s

Ques. Determine tangential disk speed with an angular velocity of 10 rad / s and a radius of 5 m. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Angular velocity, ω = 10 rad / s

Disc radius, d = 5 m

Tangential velocity formula = V_t = r × ω = 5 m × 10 rad / s = 50 m / s

Ques. What is the radius of a wheel rotating at a speed of 10 m / s, and its angular speed of 5 rad / s? (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Tangential velocity, V_t = 10 m / s

Angular velocity, ω = 5 rad / s

Tangential velocity, V_t = r × ω

10 m / s = r × 5 rad / s

r = 2 m

Ques. What is the radius of the ring with a tangential velocity of 50 m / s, and its angular velocity is 5 rad / s? (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

Tangential velocity, V_t = 50 m / s

Angular velocity, ω = 5 rad / s

Tangential velocity = V_t = r × ω

50 m / s = r × 5 rad / s

r = 10 m

Ques. When the wheel rotates at a speed of 12 m per second, and the angular speed is 6 radians per second. Then find its radius. (2 marks)

Ans. Given,

V_t= 12mpersec.

Angular velocity, ω, is 6 radians / second.

Tangential velocity = V_t = r × ω

To rearrange it,

r = V_t / ω

= 12/6

= 2 m

Therefore, the radius is 2 metres.

Read Also:

Newton's Third Law of Motion	Rotational Kinetic Energy	Specific Gravity
Difference Between Gravitation and Gravity	Angular Speed	Relation Between Torque and Speed
Reduction Potential	Force of Friction	Electrolytic Cell
Semiconductor Diode	Dielectric Properties	VI Characteristics

Tangential Velocity Formula: Definition, Solved Examples

What is Tangential Velocity?

Tangential Velocity Formula

Tangential Acceleration

Things To Remember

Solved Examples

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.
The figure shows three point charges kept at the vertices of triangle ABC. The net electric field, due to this system of charges, at the midpoint M of base BC will be:

2.
Two small identical metallic balls having charges \( q \) and \( -2q \) are kept far at a separation \( r \). They are brought in contact and then separated at distance \( \frac{r}{2} \). Compared to the initial force \( F \), they will now:

3.
Write any two features of nuclear forces.

4.
Assertion (A) : The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons. Reason (R) : Energy is absorbed when the nucleons are bound together to form a nucleus.

5.
Photoemission of electrons occurs from a metal (\( \phi_0 = 1.96 \, \text{eV} \)) when light of frequency \( 6.4 \times 10^{14} \, \text{Hz} \) is incident on it. Calculate: Energy of a photon in the incident light, The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, and The stopping potential.

6.
What is displacement current (\( i_d \))? Considering the case of charging of a capacitor, show that \( i_d = \varepsilon_0 \frac{d\Phi_E}{dt} \). What is the value of \( i_d \) for a conductor across which a constant voltage is applied?

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Tangential Velocity Formula: Definition, Solved Examples

What is Tangential Velocity?

Tangential Velocity Formula

Tangential Acceleration

Things To Remember

Solved Examples

CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

1.The figure shows three point charges kept at the vertices of triangle ABC. The net electric field, due to this system of charges, at the midpoint M of base BC will be:

2.Two small identical metallic balls having charges \( q \) and \( -2q \) are kept far at a separation \( r \). They are brought in contact and then separated at distance \( \frac{r}{2} \). Compared to the initial force \( F \), they will now:

3. Write any two features of nuclear forces.

4.Assertion (A) : The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons. Reason (R) : Energy is absorbed when the nucleons are bound together to form a nucleus.

5.Photoemission of electrons occurs from a metal (\( \phi_0 = 1.96 \, \text{eV} \)) when light of frequency \( 6.4 \times 10^{14} \, \text{Hz} \) is incident on it. Calculate: Energy of a photon in the incident light, The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, and The stopping potential.

6.What is displacement current (\( i_d \))? Considering the case of charging of a capacitor, show that \( i_d = \varepsilon_0 \frac{d\Phi_E}{dt} \). What is the value of \( i_d \) for a conductor across which a constant voltage is applied?

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

1.
The figure shows three point charges kept at the vertices of triangle ABC. The net electric field, due to this system of charges, at the midpoint M of base BC will be:

2.
Two small identical metallic balls having charges \( q \) and \( -2q \) are kept far at a separation \( r \). They are brought in contact and then separated at distance \( \frac{r}{2} \). Compared to the initial force \( F \), they will now:

3.
Write any two features of nuclear forces.

4.
Assertion (A) : The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of the constituent nucleons. Reason (R) : Energy is absorbed when the nucleons are bound together to form a nucleus.

5.
Photoemission of electrons occurs from a metal (\( \phi_0 = 1.96 \, \text{eV} \)) when light of frequency \( 6.4 \times 10^{14} \, \text{Hz} \) is incident on it. Calculate: Energy of a photon in the incident light, The maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, and The stopping potential.

6.
What is displacement current (\( i_d \))? Considering the case of charging of a capacitor, show that \( i_d = \varepsilon_0 \frac{d\Phi_E}{dt} \). What is the value of \( i_d \) for a conductor across which a constant voltage is applied?