Answer
For a point on a rotating body, the radial acceleration is the acceleration that is directed toward the axis of rotation.
For example, if the rotating body is a circle rotating around the center of the circle, then the radial acceleration is the acceleration directed toward the center of a circle.
The tangential acceleration is the acceleration in the direction of motion. If the tangential acceleration is non-zero, then the point must be either speeding up or slowing down.
Note that the radial acceleration and the tangential acceleration are directed at 90-degree angles to each other.
Work Step by Step
For a point on a rotating body, the radial acceleration is the acceleration that is directed toward the axis of rotation.
For example, if the rotating body is a circle rotating around the center of the circle, then the radial acceleration is the acceleration directed toward the center of a circle.
The tangential acceleration is the acceleration in the direction of motion. If the tangential acceleration is non-zero, then the point must be either speeding up or slowing down.
Note that the radial acceleration and the tangential acceleration are directed at 90-degree angles to each other.
