When Does an Object Experience Only Centripetal Acceleration in Circular Motion?

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An object experiences only centripetal acceleration when its velocity is constant and the rotation rate and radius remain unchanged. In such cases, the acceleration vector is directed towards the center of the circular path, and there is no tangential acceleration. For example, an object on a rotating platter experiences only centripetal acceleration as long as the platter's rotation rate is constant. This scenario illustrates that tangential acceleration is absent when the speed of the object does not vary. Understanding these conditions clarifies the relationship between centripetal and tangential acceleration in circular motion.
Riemannenthusiast
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Hey guys,
Theres something I've been confused about when looking at circular motion. When does an object have just centripetal acceleration as the acceleration of the object, if ever. I think that the acceleration vector is between the centripetal and tangential acceleration when an objects like in a loop, so the acceleration is in between the two vectors, so it there any time when there isn't tangential acceleration? I feel like I am not understanding something
 
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Riemannenthusiast said:
Theres something I've been confused about when looking at circular motion. When does an object have just centripetal acceleration as the acceleration of the object, if ever. I think that the acceleration vector is between the centripetal and tangential acceleration when an objects like in a loop, so the acceleration is in between the two vectors, so it there any time when there isn't tangential acceleration? I feel like I am not understanding something
When the acceleration is perpendicular to the velocity.
 
If the rotation rate and the radius are not changing, then there is no tangential acceleration. Something sitting on a rotating platter has no tangential acceleration as long as the rotation rate of the platter does not change.
 
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