Chapter 10

MOTION AND MEASUREMENT OF 

DISTANCES 
PART 2 
MOVING THINGS AROUND US 
We see around us many things that move.
Can you list the objects that are moving and the objects that
are not moving from the following picture?

Imagine and narrate to your teacher what would happen if

humans cannot move?
Define motion:- The change in the position of an object with
respect to time is called motion.
1
In other words, an object is said to be in motion when its
position changes with time.
If an object moves fairly fast, then its movement can be
easily observed.
Eg: The second hand of the clock.
If an object moves very slowly, then its movement cannot
be easily observed.
Eg: The hour hand of the clock.
When an object does not move, we say that the object is ‘at
rest’ or that the object is ‘stationary’.
A body is said to be ‘at rest’ when its position does not
change with time with respect to an observer.
When an object is stationary (not moving), it is said to be at
rest.
Eg: A house, tree, clock etc.
Is it possible for the same object to be at rest and in motion
at different times? Try to give some examples of such
objects.
Comment on the statement:-“​motion is a relative
concept​ giving an example”.
2
ACTIVITY​:- Let us fill up as many words as we can
related to the word ‘MOTION’.

Fast/slow/super fast

Types of motion -  

Think about all the different ways in which objects move.
Sometimes, they move in a circle, sometimes, in a straight
line and sometimes they move back and forth sometimes in
a zigzag line. ​Depending upon how the object moves, there
are different types of motion as follows:-

3
 1) Translatory motion
Translatory motion ​is the type of motion in which all points
of a moving body move uniformly in the same line or
direction.
If an object is
executing
translational
motion then
there is no
change in its
orientation relative to a fixed point.
Translatory motion can be subdivided into:-
a) Rectilinear motion
When an object moves from one point to another along a
straight-line path​, then the motion is called ​rectilinear
motion​. ​Eg: A cyclist moving on a
straight road, ac car moving on a straight
and level road, objects falling vertically
down, march past of soldiers, a bullet
fired from a gun etc.

4
 b) Curvilinear Motion
When an object moves ​along a curved path​, then the
motion is called ​curvilinear motion​. In this motion there is
change of direction unlike rectilinear motion.
Eg: A train moving on a curved
track, A path followed by a
javelin thrown by an athlete,
Ball kicked by a boy in air,
motion of a snake etc.

Can you classify the following motions as rectilinear and

curvilinear?
Movement of a table drawer.
Car taking a turn.
Throwing a ball at an angle.
Movement of striker on carrom board.
The motion of bullet fired from a gun.
5
 2) Circular Motion
The motion of an object along the circumference of a circle
is known as circular motion.
The distance between the moving object and the centre of
the circle remains fixed in this kind of motion.
Eg: Movement of the blades of a
fan or even the motion of a
coloured spot on the fan blade
Motion of a windmill, Motion of a
satellite around earth, motion of a
swirling stone, earth’s revolution
around the sun, motion of a marry-go-round, motion of the
hands of a clock etc.

3) Rotational motion: ​ ​In this type of motion, the object spins

around its own axis.​ It is important to note that
different parts of the moving body move
through different distances in this type of
motion.
Eg: Movement of a spinning top, movement of an entire fan
or a windmill, rotation of earth, wheel of a sewing machine
etc.
6
 4) Oscillatory Motion/ vibratory motion-
The to and fro motion of a body between the
two points is called oscillatory motion. In this
type of motion there is a rest position (or
mean position as indicated by ‘o’ in the
diagram) from where the body/object moves
equal distances on either side.
Eg: Motion of the pendulum of the clock, motion of a
see-saw, Motion of a swing etc.
When the oscillations are very fast with respect to time, we call it
vibratory motion eg. ​Strings of a guitar while playing it,
motion of a sewing machine needle etc.
ACTIVITY​:- Draw
columns in your
notebook for each
type of motion.
Given below are the
pictures of some
movements.
Can you classify them?
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/381961612146034512/

5) Periodic Motion
7
Periodic motion is the type of motion that gets repeated
after a regular interval of time.
The earth completes one round around the sun in 364-1/4
days and this motion gets repeated after every 364-1/4
days. The motion of the needle of a sewing machine, Motion
of a swing, motion of surface of drums/tabla when played,
motion of a pendulum that repeats itself in fixed time
interval are the examples of this type of motion.
Oscillatory/vibratory motions are repetitive. Therefore, they
come under the category of periodic motion as well.
6) Non-Periodic Motion:-
Non-periodic motion is the type of motion that does not
repeat itself after a regular interval of time.
Eg: Swaying of the branches of a tree, the motion of a
footballer during a match, motion of a bus or car in traffic
etc.
7) Random Motion:- ​The motion of a body that does not
follow a fixed path or any specific direction is called
random motion.
Eg: motion of gas particles in a container or
motion of honey bee or any flying bird, or
simply wandering around etc.
8
Can objects have more than one type of Motion at the same time?
Some objects may have a combination of different types of
motion.
Sewing machine:
Wheel- Circular motion
Needle- Periodic motion/ Oscillatory
motion
Drawing of water from the well:
Pulley- Circular motion
Rope and bucket- Rectilinear motion

Can you find out the different types of

motions happening in:​ 1. Motion of a bicycle.
2. Motion of a ball.
3. Motion of earth around the sun.
4. Motion or a pendulum
5. Motion of the strings of guitar.
6. Motion of a ball rolling on the ground
7. Motion of merry-go-round.

Let us revise:-

9
Objects
may be :-

which do not
change position
with respect to
time.
s​ tationary
“at rest”

moving
which change
position with
respect to
time.
Objects can perform motion in many ways
Measurement
of length,
Knowledge of change ​list the ways here
In position requires:-

10
 which can be done using
Several scales/units

Standard non-standard, which are generally devised in

a local context.

eg?_____ eg?_____

11