Introduction to Motion - Definition, Types, Examples, FAQs

What is the meaning of Motion?

In our day-to-day life, we observe many objects at rest and many in motion. We mostly consider an object in motion if its moving and an object in rest if it is stationary. But the definition of motion is not restricted to this concept. An object appearing to be stationary to one person can be moving according to another for example: for a passenger sitting in a moving bus, the roadside trees are moving and he itself is at rest whereas, for a person standing at the roadside, the passenger and bus both are moving and the trees are stationary. What do these observations indicate? What is motion? Let’s understand what is motion, what are the types of motion and some common examples of motion in the article below.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is the meaning of Motion?
2. Different types of motion with examples
3. Motion examples

What is Motion?

Motion definition physics and Motion meaning: Motion is the change in the position of an object with the change in time and the condition of the observer. Everything in this universe exhibits motion. From the basic building block of matter that is an atom in which electrons move around the nucleus to the huge planets which revolve around the sun, all exhibit motion. The whole world is in the state of motion at every instance of time.

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Motion definition

Motion is defined as the rate of change of position of an object with respect to time and a stationary observer. As we have read above in the example of moving passenger and roadside trees, it is clear that motion also depends upon the condition of the observer whether he is stationary or moving.

The motion of an object is mainly described using the following terms:

1. Distance – Distance is defined as how far an object had moved on the ground. It is the main parameter which is used to describe the motion of an object. Distance represents the change in position of an object.
2. Displacement – Displacement is defined as the shortest distance travelled by an object. It also represents the change in position of an object like distance.
3. Time – It is also a main accept in order to define the motion of an object. The change in position of an object is measured with respect to time only.

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Different types of motion with examples

There are 4 main types of motion depending upon how an object changes its position with respect to time.

Linear motion ?When an object is moving in straight line, it is said to exhibit linear motion. It is the simplest type of motion and can be described using only one dimension. Linear motion is also known as rectilinear motion. Some of the common examples of linear motion are as follows:

• A bullet fired from a gun, moves in a Straight towards its target.
• A group of soldiers moving in a parade are said to be exhibiting linear motion.

Oscillatory motion ? When an object is my moving back and forth about its fixed mean position, then the object is said to exhibit oscillatory motion. Some of the common examples of oscillatory motion are as follows:

• In a pendulum clock, the pendulum moves back and forth about its mean position.
• In stringed musical instruments, the string moves back and forth about its mean position when it touched.

Rotatory motion ? When an object rotates or moves in a circle on its fixed axis, then the object is said to exhibit rotatory motion. Some of the common examples of rotatory motion are as follows:

• The motion of earth about its axis is a type of rotatory motion.
• The movement of steering wheel during driving a car is also a type of rotatory motion.

Circular motion ? When an object is moving in a circular path or we can say along the circumference of a circle, then the object is said to exhibit circular motion. Some of the common examples of circular motion are as follows:

• All the planets revolving around the sun exhibits circular motion
• Merry go round ride is also a type of circular motion.

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Motion examples

Every thing in this universe exhibits motion and nothing is stationary, hence it is difficult to give all the examples of motion. But there are some common examples of motion which are easily observable and understandable for all include:

1. Walking, running, jumping, playing all these activities are a type of motion
2. Earth’s rotation and revolution is also rotatory motion examples
3. Blood flow in our body which is necessary to keep us alive is also due to motion of blood.
4. Vehicles moving on road, celling fan, clouds in the air, all these things are in motion.
5. Even the air we breathe in is also moving from one place to another.

Hence, everything in this universe exhibit motion one or the other way depending upon the change in position with respect to observer and time.

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