Orbital velocity and tangential velocity are two different concepts related to the motion of objects in space.
Orbital Velocity: Orbital velocity is the minimum velocity required for an object to maintain a stable orbit around a celestial body, such as a planet or a satellite. It is the velocity at which the gravitational force acting on the object provides the necessary centripetal force to keep it in a circular or elliptical orbit. Orbital velocity depends on the mass of the celestial body and the distance from its center.
Tangential Velocity: Tangential velocity refers to the velocity of an object moving along a curved path tangent to that point on the path. It represents the speed and direction of the object at a specific moment as it moves along its orbit. Tangential velocity is perpendicular to the radius of the circular path at any given point.
In simpler terms, orbital velocity is the specific velocity required to achieve and maintain an orbit around a celestial body, while tangential velocity represents the instantaneous velocity of an object moving along its orbit at a particular point.
It's important to note that tangential velocity is a component of the total velocity of an orbiting object. The total velocity includes both the tangential velocity and the radial (or centripetal) velocity, which is directed towards the center of the orbit. The combination of these two velocities results in the object following a curved path, such as a circle or an ellipse, around the celestial body.
In summary, orbital velocity is the specific velocity required to maintain an orbit, whereas tangential velocity represents the instantaneous speed and direction of an object moving along its orbit at any given point.