What is the term for the velocity that is perpendicular to the centripetal force at a given moment?

What is the term for the velocity that is perpendicular to the centripetal force at a given moment?

• A. Tangential velocity
• B. Angular velocity
• C. Linear velocity
• D. Relative velocity

Answer: (A)

The correct term for the velocity that is perpendicular to the centripetal force at a given moment is tangential velocity. In circular motion, objects are constantly changing direction due to the centripetal force acting towards the center of the circle. However, at any point in the motion, the object's velocity has two components: one that points directly towards the center of the circle (which does not contribute to the speed but changes the direction) and a tangential component that is perpendicular to this centripetal force. This tangential component represents the linear speed of the object along the circular path, indicating how fast the object is moving along its trajectory at that specific point. Angular velocity refers to the rate of change of the angle with respect to time, and while it is related to tangential velocity, it is not directly the term being referred to in the context of the question regarding directionality. Linear velocity generally refers to any velocity along a straight line, lacking the specification of the circular motion's context. Relative velocity describes the velocity of one object concerning another, which doesn't pertain to the relationship between the direction of forces in circular motion. Therefore, tangential velocity is the most appropriate term to describe the velocity that is perpendicular to the centripetal force

The correct term for the velocity that is perpendicular to the centripetal force at a given moment is tangential velocity. In circular motion, objects are constantly changing direction due to the centripetal force acting towards the center of the circle. However, at any point in the motion, the object's velocity has two components: one that points directly towards the center of the circle (which does not contribute to the speed but changes the direction) and a tangential component that is perpendicular to this centripetal force. This tangential component represents the linear speed of the object along the circular path, indicating how fast the object is moving along its trajectory at that specific point.

Angular velocity refers to the rate of change of the angle with respect to time, and while it is related to tangential velocity, it is not directly the term being referred to in the context of the question regarding directionality. Linear velocity generally refers to any velocity along a straight line, lacking the specification of the circular motion's context. Relative velocity describes the velocity of one object concerning another, which doesn't pertain to the relationship between the direction of forces in circular motion. Therefore, tangential velocity is the most appropriate term to describe the velocity that is perpendicular to the centripetal force