Types Of Motion

 

Types of Motion

A body is said to be in motion if it changes its position over a period of time. Different types of motion are discussed below.

Rectilinear Motion

The motion in a straight line is termed as rectilinear motion. For example: motion of sprinters in a race, march past of soldiers in a parade etc.

Circular Motion

Motion of objects such that they always remain at a same distance from a fixed point is termed as circular motion. For example motion of blades of fan. This motion is also termed as the rotational motion if objects execute circular motion on their own axis. For example blades of windmill.

Periodic Motion

The motion in which particle attains its natural position after a fixed interval of time is termed as periodic motion. For example: motion of a pendulum.

According to the nature of the movement, motion is classified into three types as follows:

• Linear Motion
• Rotary Motion
• Oscillatory Motion

Linear Motion

In linear motion, the particles move from one point to another in either a straight line or a curved path. The linear motion depending on the path of motion, is further divided as follows

• Rectilinear Motion – The path of the motion is a straight line.
• Curvilinear Motion – The path of the motion is curved.

A few examples of linear motion are the motion of the train, football, the motion of a car on the road, etc.

Rotatory Motion

Rotatory motion is the motion that occurs when a body rotates on its own axis.  A few examples of the rotatory motion are as follows:

• The motion of the earth about its own axis around the sun is an example of rotary motion.
• While driving a car, the motion of wheels and the steering wheel about its own axis is an example of rotatory motion.

Oscillatory Motion

Oscillatory motion is the motion of a body about its mean position. A few examples of  oscillatory motion are

• When a child on a swing is pushed, the swing moves to and fro about its mean position.
• The pendulum of a clock exhibits oscillatory motion as it moves to and fro about its mean position.
• The string of the guitar when strummed moves to and fro by its mean position resulting in an oscillatory motion.