Tangential acceleration (aₜ = rα)
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aₜ = rα
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| r | Radius of circular path (m) |
| α | Angular acceleration (rad/s²) |
| aₜ | Tangential acceleration (m/s²) |
When to use this
Changes speed (not direction). Total acceleration a = √(aₜ² + aᶜ²) where aᶜ = v²/r. aₜ along velocity, aᶜ toward center. Uniform circular motion: aₜ = 0.