MOTION

 

When a body changes its position with respect to its surroundings, then we can say its moving. Therefore, motion simply means movement or change in position of an object in space.

Types of motion

There are basically four types of motion:

1. Random motion

When an object move in a disorderly, irregular or haphazard manner, then we can say that the object has performed random motion. In random motion, such as the movement of smoke particles in air, we can see that the particles collide with one another as each of them tends to move in a disorderly manner. Examples of random motion are:

(i) motion of particles suspended in water

(ii) motion of smoke particles suspended in air

(iii) motion of gas particles.

2. Translational motion

Rigid bodies which change position in space from one point to another without rotating perform translational motion. This type of motion usually take place along the same path. Examples are:

(i) a man walking from his house to the park

(ii) a bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja

(iii) a bee flying from one flower to another.

3. Rotational motion

When all parts or points of a body move in eccentric circles in the same axis of rotation, they perform rotational motion. Examples are:

(i) the earth rotates about its axis

(ii) football spinning about its axis

(iii) the rotating wheels of a moving car

(iv) rotation of the blades of an electric fan

4. Oscillatory motion

Some objects move in a repeated to and fro manner such as the back and forth swinging of a pendulum bob or a spiral spring. These objects are said to be performing oscillatory motion. Oscillatory motion is a form of periodic and repetitive motion of a body. Examples are:

(i) motion of a pendulum swinging back and forth

(ii) motion of a rocking chair

(iii) the strings of a plucked guitar

(iv) the vertical movement of a disturbed mass on a spiral spring

NOTE:

A body may combine any two of the above types of motion when changing position. Examples are:

(i) a ping - pong ball  spinning through space from one player to another performs translation and rotational motion.

(ii) also a diver combines both the translational and rotational motion

(iii) the wheels of a car performs rotational motion while the car itself moves in a translational manner.