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

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SUMMARY

An object experiences only centripetal acceleration when its rotation rate and radius remain constant, resulting in no tangential acceleration. This occurs when the acceleration vector is perpendicular to the velocity vector. For example, an object on a rotating platter experiences solely centripetal acceleration as long as the platter's rotation rate does not change. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing circular motion dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Circular motion dynamics
  • Centripetal acceleration principles
  • Understanding of tangential acceleration
  • Basic physics of rotational motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between centripetal and tangential acceleration in circular motion
  • Explore the mathematical formulation of centripetal acceleration
  • Investigate scenarios of uniform circular motion
  • Learn about the effects of changing rotation rates on acceleration types
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in mastering concepts of circular motion and acceleration dynamics.

Riemannenthusiast
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Hey guys,
there's 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:
there's 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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