Question

differentiate between centripetal acceleration and angular accelleration

Answer 1

QUESTION:

Differentiate between centripetal acceleration and angular accelleration

ANSWER:

As velocity is a vector quantity, it can change either in magnitude or direction. In order to change a velocity vector acceleration must be applied. Hence, we can decompose the acceleration vector into two components: the tangential component $a_t$ is due to the change in the magnitude of the velocity of traversal, and points in the direction of the velocity vector (or in the opposite direction). The centripetal component $a_c$ is due to the change in direction of the velocity vector and is normal to the trajectory, pointing toward the center of curvature of the path.