What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Radial vs Tangential - What's the difference?

radial | tangential |

As adjectives the difference between radial and tangential

is that radial is arranged like rays that radiate from, or converge to a common centre while tangential is referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something.

As a noun radial

is a radial tire / radial tyre.

radial

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Arranged like rays that radiate from, or converge to a common centre.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-03
    • , author=(Henry Petroski) , title=Opening Doors , volume=100, issue=2, page=112-3 , magazine= citation , passage=A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.}}
  • Moving along a radius.
  • (anatomy) Of, or relating to the radius bone.
  • (entomology) Of, or relating to the radius (vein), and/or the wing areas next to it.

    • Derived terms

    (terms derived from radial) * radial arm maze * radial arm saw * radial artery * radial basis function * radial cleavage * radial collateral artery * radial curve * radial displacement * radial embedding * radial engine * radial growth phase * radial index artery * radial integral * radial keratotomy * radial line * radial nerve * radial-ply tire / radial-ply tyre * radial point * radial symmetry * radial tire / radial tyre * radial vein * radial velocity

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a radial tire / radial tyre

    • tangential

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Referring to a tangent, moving at a tangent to something.
  • * 2002 , Edward Teller, Memoirs: A Twentieth Century Journey in Science and Politics , page 560
    • The meteor came in on a tangential orbit and exploded about 8 or 10 miles above the earth's surface, just south of the Arctic Circle.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2012-03
    • , author=(Henry Petroski) , title=Opening Doors , volume=100, issue=2, page=112-3 , magazine= citation , passage=A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever.}}
  • Merely touching, positioned as a tangent.
  • * 1898 , Gary Nathan Calkins, Mitosis in ''Noctiluca miliaris'' and its bearing on the nuclear relations of the Protozoa and Metazoa , Ph.D. Thesis, page 3
    • The archoplasm divides and forms a very large spindle which first lies tangential to the surface of the nucleus.
  • Only indirectly related.
    • That subject is tangential to our discussion, and we cannot let it distract us.

    Derived terms

    * (l)

    Related terms

    * (l)