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What is Motion?

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Motion is defined as the change in the position of an object with respect to time i.e. when an object changes its position according to time it is said to be in the state of motion. Everything in the universe is in a state of continuous motion, for example, the moon revolves around the planets, the planets revolve around the sun, the sun revolves around the center of the galaxies, and the galaxies are themselves expanding. Motion is in the syllabus of Class 9 and Class 11. Let’s learn about the motion in physics in detail in this article.

What is Motion?

The change in the position of anybody with respect to time can be termed motion. Any object under motion can be visualized by the naked eye by determining the change in the positional coordinates and then, associating it through the eye of the arbitrary observer. Motion can be computed in terms of both the position vectors, that is, the displacement, and distance, and taking into consideration the speed factors, that is, velocity, acceleration, speed, and time.  

For instance, the cyclists in the image given below are said to be in a state of motion.

Motion of object

How to Identify an Object in Motion?

Any movement done by the object can be found by comparing the new position and the original position of the object. The change in the position of the object, with respect to time, is considered motion. Several things around us move like Earth which appears to be still but is always in motion. The car, bikes, people, and other things around us also move.

Parameters in Motion

There are four main parameters that affect the motion of the objects they are:

  • Distance (d)
  • Displacement (s)
  • Speed/Velocity (v)
  • Time (t)

Distance

Distance is used to refer to the complete path length between any two successive points. The distance is a scalar quantity, with only magnitude and no associated direction. Therefore, the distance is always positive in nature. The distance of a body gives the descriptive route information being followed by an object from one point to another. Since the distance between two points is equivalent to the path length, it can be measured across different trajectories, that is, linear or zigzag paths. The distance is denoted by the symbol ‘d’. 

Distance = Speed × Time

d = v × t

Displacement

Displacement is the direct length of the minimum path between any two successive points. Displacement, therefore, may refer to displacement as a vector quantity, with both an associated magnitude and direction. The displacement of an object between any two points is considered to be positive, negative, and even zero. Displacement is independent of the path and only depends upon the initial and final position of the body. Therefore, it does not provide complete information on the route. Displacement is always indicated with an arrow.  It is denoted by ‘s’. 

Displacement = Velocity × Time

s = v × t

Speed

Speed can be defined as the rate of change of position of an object moving in any direction. Speed is measured as the ratio of the distance covered by an object to the total time to cover this distance. The speed of a body is considered to be a scalar quantity, with only magnitude and no associated direction.

Speed = Distance / Time

v = d / t

Unit of Speed in different systems is different system as shown below:

CGS system cm/s
SI system m/s

Dimensional formula for Speed is [LT-1].

Velocity

Velocity is defined as the rate of change of displacement per unit time. It is a vector quantity. Velocity is nothing but speed in a particular direction. Hence, the unit and dimension formula of velocity is same as that of speed. Hence, the unit of velocity is m/s and the dimensional formula is LT-1

Time

Time is an important frame of reference to evaluate the change in state and motion of the objects. Time is referred to as the interval over which any object undergoes modifications in its motion, orientation and structure. The criteria for evaluation that time has passed is the modification in any object.

S.I. unit for time is the second, abbreviated as s. It is also measured in other units such as minutes(m), hours(hr), etc. The dimensional formula for time is [T1].

Types of Motion

The motion of an object depends on the force acting on the body. There are various kinds of motion and different kinds of motion are explained below in this article,

  • Linear Motion
  • Translational Motion
  • Rotational Motion
  • Periodic Motion
  • Simple Harmonic Motion
  • Oscillatory Motion
  • Projectille Motion

Now let’s learn about them in detail.

Linear Motion

Linear motion is a specific type of translational motion where the body moves only in one single direction. It can be either in the x-direction or in the y-direction or in the z-direction.

For example the motion of ants on the edge of the knife and others.

Translational Motion

In Translational motion, the object is free to move and can move in any of the three (x, y, z) directions. For example, the motion of Areoplane, birds, bees, etc is considered to be translational motion.

Rotational Motion

In Rotational motion, the object moves along a circular path about a fixed axis. For example, the Rotational motion of the Earth, Moon, Top and others is the form of the Rotational Motion.

Periodic Motion

Periodic motion is the type of motion that repeats itself after certain intervals of time. For example, the motion of the Earth around the Sun, the motion of the comments, and the motion of the Moon around the Earth exhibit periodic motion.

Simple Harmonic Motion

Simple Harmonic Motion is a specific type of periodic motion in which the particle moves to and fro around a fixed point. Like in the case of a simple pendulum.

Oscillatory Motion

The to-and-fro motion of an object is called the Oscillatory Motion it is repetitive in nature it repeats itself within a fixed time frame. Mechanical oscillations are called vibrations. For example the motion of the guitar strings and other.

Projectile Motion

When an object has both horizontal displacement as well as vertical displacement then it is said to be in Projectile motion. For example, the movement of the bullet fired from the gun, and a stone thrown in the air also follows the projectile motion.

Types of Motion as per State of Motion

There are two types of Motion on the basis of State of Motion

  1. Uniform Motion
  2. Non-Uniform Motion

Now let’s learn about them in detail.

Uniform Motion

The uni-dimensional motion of an object where it travels with uniform speed all along the path is called Uniform motion. Since the body covers equal distances in equal intervals of time, the velocity of the body remains constant. The speed of an object remains the same during all time frames, the average speed of the object is equivalent to its actual speed. No acceleration is attained by the object in the case of uniform motion. For instance, a car travelling 20 km in the first hour, 20 km in the next hour, and so on continue with this throughout its motion.

Examples of Uniform Motion

Various examples of the objects performing the uniform motion are,

  • The hands of the clock cover equal distances.
  • A car going along a straight level road at a steady speed.
  • An aeroplane flying at a steady speed in the air.

Non-Uniform Motion

The uni-dimensional motion of an object where it travels with a varying speed all along the path is called Non-Uniform motion. Since the body covers unequal distances in equal intervals of time, the velocity of the body remains modified. The speed of an object changes during the time frames, and the average speed may be different from its actual speed. Acceleration or deceleration is attained by the object in the case of non-uniform motion. For instance, a car travelling 20 km in the first hour, 30 km in the next hour, and so on. Continuing with a varying speed throughout its motion.

Examples of Non-Uniform Motion

Various examples of the objects performing the non-uniform motion are,

  • A racing car
  • A ball bouncing at different intervals
  • Two cars colliding with each other

Types of Motion as Per Directions

There are three types of motion in physics as per the direction of motion that are,

  1. One Dimensional Motion
  2. Two Dimensional Motion
  3. Three Dimensional Motion

Now let’s learn about them in detail.

One Dimensional Motion

Whenever anyone out of the three coordinate spaces representing the position of the object undergoes any change (shape, speed, distance) with respect to time, then that motion is called one-dimensional motion, or uni-dimensional motion.

Examples of One Dimensional Motion

Examples of One Dimensional Motion are,

  • The motion of a steel block in a straight line,
  • Object freely falling under the effect of gravity.
  • A man walking through a straight lane

Two Dimensional Motion

Whenever any pair out of the three coordinate spaces representing the position of the object undergoes any change (shape, speed, distance) with respect to time, then that motion is called two-dimensional motion, or bi-dimensional motion.

Examples of Two Dimensional Motion

Examples of Two Dimensional Motion are,

  • Movement of a train along a zigzag track.
  • The rotation of the planets around the sun

Three Dimensional Motion

Whenever all the three coordinate spaces representing the position of the object undergoes any change (shape, speed, distance) with respect to time, then that motion is called three-dimensional motion. The body tends to undergo movement within a planar structure.

Examples of Three Dimensional Motion

Examples of Three Dimensional Motion are,

  • Objects flying in arbitrary paths in the sky.
  • The motion of atoms inside a gas molecule.

Laws of Motion

Laws of motion also known as Newton’s Laws of Motion are the basic laws that help us to understand the motion of any object. These laws are valid for each inertial frame of reference. The three laws of motion are:

First Law of Motion: Also known as Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object stays in an existing state of motion or rest unit unless a net external force is applied to it.

Second Law of Motion: Also known as Newton’s Second Law of Motion states that the change in momentum of the object with respect to time is equal to the net force applied.

Third Law Motion: Also known as Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Equations of Motion

There are three equations of motion. These are mentioned below:

First Equation of Motion: It is used to find the final velocity of an object if its initial velocity, acceleration and time is given. Mathematically it is represented as v = u + at

Second Equation of Motion: It is used to find the distance if the initial velocity, acceleration and time is given. Mathematically it is given as s = ut + 1/2at2

Third Equation of Motion: In this equation, the difference of squares of final and initial velocity is equal to twice the product of acceleration and distance. Mathematically it is given as v2 – u2 = 2as

Differentiate Between Periodic and Non-Periodic Motion

The difference between periodic and non-periodic motion can be understood by the following table:

Periodic Motion 

Non-Periodic Motion

In periodic motion, the same path is followed after a fixed time interval. In non-periodic motion, the path followed by the object is not fixed and can be random.
The position of the object after a specific period of time can be guessed. The position of the object after a specific period of time cannot be guessed.
Examples: Oscillatory motion, Motion of planets around the sun, etc. Examples: The motion of vehicles, the motion of bees, etc.

Also, Check,

FAQs on Motion

1. What is Motion in Physcis?

The motion of an object is defined as the change in its position with respect to the time taken.

2. What are Types of Motion?

Motion of the object can be divided into various categories some of the types of motion are,

  • Linear Motion
  • Translational Motion
  • Rotary Motion
  • Oscillatory Motion

3. What are Examples of Motion?

Various examples of motion are,

  • A child playing in the swing exhibited motion.
  • The movement of bees around the flower.
  • A running athlete shows motion, etc.

4. What is Periodic Motion?

In periodic motion, the motion repeats itself after certain intervals of time. Example: Motion of Earth around Sun, Motion of blades of the fan, etc.

5. What is Translation Motion?

Translational motion is the motion by which a body shifts from one point in space to another. Translational motion encompasses both rectilinear and curvilinear motion of the objects. Every component of the body moves through the same portion in case of these motions. For instance, a bullet fired through a gun. 

6. What is Rotational Motion?

When an object moves along a circular path about a fixed axis this motion is called Rotational Motion. Example: motion of Earth along its axis, the motion of the top, etc.

7. What is Oscillatory Motion?

If an object moves to and fro around a fixed point, then its motion is called Oscillatory Motion. Examples: motion of the pendulum, the motion of the guitar string and others.

8. What is Uniform Motion?

An object is said to be in uniform motion if it covers equal distance in equal interval of time.

9. What is Difference between Curvilinear Motion and Rectilinear Motion?

Difference between Curvilinear Motion and Rectilinear Motion are:

Curvilinear Motion

Rectilinear Motion

When an object moving in translational motion follows a curved path. An object moving in translation motion opts for a straight-line path.
The velocity of the object changes with change in direction The body travels with uniform velocity.
Example: A stone thrown up in the air    Example: A train moving on a straight track or a car moving on a straight road


Last Updated : 21 Sep, 2023
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