The discussion centers on the relationship between radial and transverse acceleration versus tangential and normal acceleration in the context of a particle traveling along a smooth curve. Participants confirm that both sets of terms are valid and highlight that normal corresponds to radial and tangential corresponds to transverse. It is established that normal and tangential directions are defined within the Frenet-Serret frame, while radial and transverse are defined in the polar coordinate frame, coinciding only when the curve is circular. The conversation also touches on terminology variations, such as the use of "circumferential" and "azimuthal" for transverse acceleration.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, educators, and professionals in mechanics who seek to deepen their understanding of acceleration components in curved motion.
Not only are they valid, but they are both the same thing: normal = radial, and tangential = transverse.gianeshwar said:
Chestermiller said:
I guess I learned something new. I've never heard of transverse used for polar coordinates. I would have called it circumferential. Go figure.voko said: