MOTION
We can define motion as the change of position of an object with
respect to time. A book falling off a table, water flowing from the
tap, rattling windows, etc., all exhibit motion. Even the air that we
breathe exhibits motion! Everything in the universe moves. We live
in a universe that is in continual motion. The fundamental particle
of matter, that is, the atom, is in constant motion too. Every
physical process in the universe is composed of motion of some
sort. The motion can either be swift or slow, but motion exists. It is
important that we give due attention to the study of motion
because of its importance in the physical world. Motion is mainly
described in terms of the following terms:
• Distance
• Displacement
• Speed
• Time
Distance is the total movement of an object without any regard to direction.
W e can define distance as to how much ground an object has covered despite
its starting or ending point.
Let’s understand the concept of distance with the help of the diagram:
Distance here in the diagram will be= 4m+3m+5m= 12m
Also the formula to calculate
distance is:
Distance = speed × time
◦ d=s×t
d = refers to the distance traveled by body or
object in meters (m)
s = refers to the speed of the object or body
in meter per second (m/s)
t = refers to the time consumed by object or
body to cover the distance in seconds (s)
Displacement is defined as the change in position of an object. It is a
vector quantity and has a direction and magnitude. It is represented as
an arrow that points from the starting position to the final position.
For example- If an object moves from A position to B, then the object’s
position changes. This change in the position of an object is known as
Displacement.
Displacement = Final Position – Initial Position
Displacement can be positive, negative and even zero
TIME
Time can be defined as the ratio of distance covered by an object to a unit
speed. Time refers to the progression of events. This progression is in such a
manner that it goes from the past to the present and finally into the future.
The Formula of Time of a given body can be expressed as,
Time = Distance/Speed
W e might have noticed that different objects move differently. Some objects move
in a curved path, some in a straight path and a few others in a different way.
According to the nature of the movement, motion is classified into three types as
follows:
Linear Motion
Rotary Motion
Oscillatory Motion
LINEARMOTION
In linear motion, the particles move from one point to another in either a straight
line or a curved path. The linear motion depending on the path of motion, is further
divided as follows
Rectilinear Motion – The path of the motion is a straight line.
Curvilinear Motion – The path of the motion is curved.
A few examples of linear motion are the motion of the train, football, the motion of
a car on the road, etc.
OSCILLATORY MOTION
◦ Oscillatory motion is the motion of a body about its mean position. A few
examples of oscillatory motion are
• When a child on a swing is pushed, the swing moves to and fro about its
mean position.
• The pendulum of a clock exhibits oscillatory motion as it moves to and fro
about its mean position.
• The string of the guitar when strummed moves to and fro by its mean
position resulting in an oscillatory motion.
Now let us understand motion clearly with the help of a few
examples:
Our daily activities, like walking, running, closing the door,
etc. involve motion. There is a change of position of the
object involved in these activities.
The flow of air in and out of our lungs is also an example of
motion.
The automobiles that carry passengers from the place of
pick up to the destination possess motion. In this case, the
position of passengers is changed from one place to another
Newton’s Laws of Motion laid the foundation for
classical mechanics today. Although subject to minor
limitations, these laws of motion are valid everywhere
and are therefore used. The laws are given as stated
below in a brief description:
• First Law: Any object will remain in its existing state
of motion or rest unless a net external
force acts on it.
• Second Law: If an object has a certain mass, the
greater the mass of this object, the greater will the
force required to be to accelerate the object. It is
represented by the equation F = ma, where ‘F’ is
the force on the object, ‘m’ is the mass of the
object and ‘a’ is the acceleration of the object.
• Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and
opposite reaction.
