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Angular velocity is defined as the rate of change of which quantity?
AThe radius of the circular path
BThe linear speed of a point on the rim
CThe rotation angle with respect to time
DThe centripetal acceleration over time
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The rotation angle with respect to time
1. Angular velocity is defined as the rate of change of the rotation angle, the angle swept divided by the time taken.
2. The radius of the path is a fixed geometric property of the circle, not a rate of change, so it cannot be the angular velocity.
3. Linear speed at the rim is related to angular velocity through v equals r times omega, but it is a distinct quantity measured in meters per second rather than radians per second.
4. Centripetal acceleration is built from angular velocity and radius, not the rate of change of angle itself.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 "Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation", section 6.1 Rotation Angle and Angular Velocity_
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