Types of Motion

Rectilinear
Translational
Curvilinear

Rotational

Circular

Periodic

Oscillatory
 Translational motion
Motion of a body in which all the points in the body follow
parallel paths is called translational motion.

A
B C
Position1
D

Distance
Same
A’
B’ C’ Position2
D’
Types of Translatory Motion

Rectilinear Motion

If an object moves in a straight line without changing its

orientation , its motion is called rectilinear motion.
Types of Translatory Motion

Curvilinear Motion

If an object moves along a curved path without changing its

orientation, its motion is called curvilinear motion.
 Rotational motion
Motion of a body turning about an axis is called rotational
motion.

The path of an object in a rotational motion is always circular (or curved).

EXAMPLES

The Earth’s spin on its axis.

Axis of rotation
NOTE

Motion of a train wheels is a combination of translational and

rotational motion.

Motion of a wheel is also called rolling motion.

 Circular Motion
When an object moves along a circular path, this type of
curvilinear motion is called circular motion.
Periodic Motion

A motion that occurs when an object moves in a repeated

pattern (a cycle) over equal periods of time is called a periodic
motion.
EXAMPLE

Revolution of Planets around the Sun.

Oscillatory Motion

A motion that occurs when an object moves to and fro about

its mean position over equal periods of time is called an
oscillatory motion or vibratory motion.

EXAMPLE

Motion of a simple pendulum.

EXAMPLE

Motion of a vibrating stretched spring.

 Mean position

C A B
Extreme Mean Extreme
Position Position Position
HOME WORK
Question
An object is said to be at rest if it does not change ________
with time.

(1) Position
(2) Size
(3) Colour
(4) Material

Ans: (1)
Question
A person sitting in a moving car is at rest with respect to

(1) a tree on the ground

(2) a cyclist on the road
(3) a building on the roadside
(4) the car

Ans: (4)
Question
The motion of the wheel of a cycle is

(1) rotatory
(2) rectilinear
(3) translatory and rotatory
(4) None of these

Ans: (3)