Introduction

Tangential acceleration is the rate of change of velocity at a point in case of non-linear motion. It is always perpendicular to the centripetal acceleration at that point.

So, the rate of change of tangential velocity at a point in a circular orbit is called Tangential acceleration.

at=dvdt��=����

Where

at�� = tangential acceleration

dv = tangential velocity

dt = change in time

Tangential acceleration in terms of displacement is

at=d2sdt2��=�2���2 OR

dvds����

Where s = displacement

SI unit of tangential acceleration is

m/s2�/�2

Example:

A body accelerates uniformly on a circular path with a speed of 10 m/s to 20m/s in 4s. Calculate its tangential acceleration. 

Solution:

Given:

Initial velocity u = 10 m/s,

Final velocity v = 20 m/s,

Change in velocity dv = v – u = 20 – 10 = 10 m/s

Time taken dt = 4s

The tangential acceleration is given by at = dv / dt

= 10 / 4

= 2.5

m/s2�/�2.

Question: 

A body accelerates uniformly at 2

m/s2�/�2. on a circular path with a speed of from rest. Find the speed in 4s.