Angular velocity, acceleration, and torque

[BadSkittles]

Hello, can anyone explain why the direction of angular velocity, acceleration, torque, and momentum point perpendicular to the rotation of the circle? It seems to make more sense if it pointed in the tangential direction.

 

[PeterO]

Hello, can anyone explain why the direction of angular velocity, acceleration, torque, and momentum point perpendicular to the rotation of the circle? It seems to make more sense if it pointed in the tangential direction.

What actual circle is rotating here, and is it rotating like a merry-go-round or like a coin spinning on its edge?

 

[rcgldr]

Hello, can anyone explain why the direction of angular velocity, acceleration, torque, and momentum point perpendicular to the rotation of the circle? It seems to make more sense if it pointed in the tangential direction.

By using a vector perpendicular to the plane of some angular quality, the math is simpler since normal vector math can be used, and a vector provides sufficient information, direction and magnitude.

 

[BadSkittles]

a merry go around like circle

 

[D H]

What tangent? It's a merry go round. There is no one tangent.