Kinds of motion
A lift, a Ferris wheel and a swing all move. Their paths are different. A path is the line along which a thing moves.
Drag the slider. The dot draws its path. Then name the motion.
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Step 1 of 4
- A lift, a Ferris wheel, and a swing.
- The lift moves in a straight line.
- The wheel moves in a circle, round and round.
- The swing moves to and fro, along the same path.
- Rectilinear motion — motion along a straight line. A lift going up.
- Circular motion — motion round a centre. A Ferris wheel seat.
- To-and-fro motion — motion forward and back along one path. A swing.
Periodic — motion that repeats after equal times. A clock pendulum is periodic. So is a Ferris wheel that turns steadily.
Rule: Name a motion by the shape of its path.
Watch out!
A bicycle wheel can show two kinds at once. The air valve, where you add air, goes round the centre. The whole wheel goes straight.