4. Types of motion

Different objects move in a different way. Each has its own definite way of movement.
This movement of objects and materials is called motion.
There are different types of motion.
Notice a fly buzzing in a room.

 

Throw a paper arrow and observe how it lands on the floor.

 

Did you notice the movement of the fly and the paper arrow are different?
The fly moves in a random zig-zag way while the paper arrow has a relatively smooth pattern of movement.

 

These motion of objects and materials can be classified based on the path they take. Based on the way they move, there are six types of motion, such as,

a. Linear motion: object moving in a straight line.

 

b. Curvilinear motion: When an object moves in a curved path, then it is said to be in curvilinear motion.

 

c. Circular motion: Circular motion is defined as the movement of an object around the circumference of a circle or the rotation of an object around a circular path.

d. Rotatory motion: Movement of the object on its own axis.

 

e. Oscillatory movement:  Coming back to the same position after a movement on a fixed time interval.

 

f. Zigzag movement: Irregular motion, like the movement of the bee as shown above.

A type of motion repeated in an equal interval of time is called periodic motion.
Example: Revolution of the moon around the earth and rotation of the earth around its axis.

Non-periodic motion:

The type of motion that does not repeat itself after a fixed time interval is called non-periodic motion.