Types of Motion:
There are certain types of motion based upon state of motion, direction, etc. The types
of motion are:
1. Oscillatory motion
2. Rotational motion
3. Translational motion
4. Uniform motion
5. Non- uniform motion
6. Periodic motion
7. Circular motion
8. Linear motion
Let us understand in brief about each motion:
1. Oscillatory motion:
A motion which keeps on repeating itself is known as oscillatory motion. It is assumed
that oscillatory motion continues forever if there would be an absence of friction, but in a
practical situation, it stops eventually by reaching equilibrium.
The best example of oscillatory motion can be a pendulum of a clock or the string of a
musical instrument.
2. Rotational motion:
When an item travels along its axis, all of its pieces move for a different distance in a
given amount of time, this is known as rotational motion. In this motion, the force which
drives TM is counterbalanced by resisting force TL and by dynamic force J dw/dt or
inertia.
This can be denoted as
TM – TL = J dw/dt
Where J is inertia and is expressed in kg*m2
Examples of Rotational motion can be, wheel rotating in a moving vehicle or Earth
rotating at its own axis.
3. Translational motion:
Transitional motion occurs when all sections of an item move the same distance in the
same amount of time. In translation motion, there are two segregations, Curvilinear
Motion and Rectilinear Motion.
1. Curvilinear Motion: When an object is following a curved path while being in transactional
motion, it is said to be in Curvilinear Motion.
2. Rectilinear Motion: When an object is following a straight-line path while being in
transactional motion, it is said to be in Rectilinear Motion.
Example of translational motion can be a cyclist cycling straight on the path.
4. Uniform motion:
Uniform motion occurs when an item moves at a consistent speed in a certain direction
at regular periods of time. For instance, while a train moves at a constant speed in a
straight-line, it is said to be in Uniform motion. Here, the value of friction would be zero.
The equation of Uniform Motion can be derived as,
Let v= initial and final velocity; t=time; and s= displacement;
Therefore, s=vt
Now, suppose, final velocity as v and initial velocity as u; consider a as an acceleration
throughout time t; s= displacement,
So,
v= u + at
s= ut + 1/2at 2
v – u = 2as
2 2
Example of a train can be taken here. A train is said to be in a uniform motion when it is
travelling in a straight path at a constant speed.
5. Non-uniform motion:
If an object is moving at a different velocity at a regular interval of time and is covering a
different distance in interval of equal time, then it is called non-uniform motion. Here, the
value of acceleration will be non-zero.
Example of non-uniform motion can be a biker running his bike on a path which is not
straight.
Under Non-uniform motion, there are two types of motion, uniformly accelerated non-
uniform motion and non-uniformly accelerated non-uniform motion.
1. Uniformly accelerated non-uniform motion: When objects travel at various speeds in a time
span of similar length and the acceleration remains constant. This indicates that in a given
time interval, an object’s velocity will vary at a constant rate.
2. non-uniformly accelerated non-uniform motion:
When objects travel at various speeds in a given time interval and their acceleration
varies across that time interval. This signifies that an object’s velocity does not fluctuate
at a steady pace.
