Tangential adj. (Geom.) Of or pertaining to a tangent; in the direction of a tangent.
Tangential force (Mech.), a force which acts on a moving body in the direction of a tangent to the path of the body, its effect being to increase or diminish the velocity; distinguished from a normal force, which acts at right angles to the tangent and changes the direction of the motion without changing the velocity.
... which draws it to the sun, and upon the force which draws the moon to the earth; and that he saw in the case of the planets that the sun's force must clearly be unequal at different distances, for the pull out of the tangential line in a minute is less for Jupiter than for Mars. He then saw that the pull of the earth on the moon would be less than for a nearer object. It is said that while thus meditating he saw an apple fall from a tree to the ground, and that this fact suggested the questions: Is the force that pulled ... — History of Astronomy • George Forbes Read full book for free!
... believing that, in consequence of the high tangential velocity, and consequent centrifugal force, acquired by the outer parts of the condensing nebulous mass, there must be a periodical detachment of rotating rings; and that, from the breaking up of these nebulous rings, there ... — Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects - Everyman's Library • Herbert Spencer Read full book for free!
... the tangential force that tends to cause skidding. W represents the weight of the vehicle in pounds, THETA the angle of superelevated surface c-d, with the horizontal c-a. R represents the radius of the curve upon which ... — American Rural Highways • T. R. Agg Read full book for free!