Question

An example of curvilinear motion is-
A. An apple falling from a tree
B. A spinning wheel
C. The motion of a pendulum
D. Throwing of a javelin

Answer 1

Hint:The curvilinear motion in the type of translatory motion. The stone thrown at some angle with the horizontal follows the curved path. The simple pendulum moves back and forth and oscillates from its mean position. The projectile motion is one of the forms of curvilinear motion.

Complete answer:
We know that the curvilinear motion in the type of translatory motion. In the curvilinear motion, the body follows the curved path. The stone thrown at some angle with the horizontal follows the curved path. To answer this question, let’s check every option one by one as follows,

When the apple falls from the tree, it directly hits the ground in the straight line. It does not undergo the curved path. Therefore, we can say the falling of the apple from the tree is not the example of curvilinear motion. Thus, the option A is incorrect.

We know that the spinning wheel follows the circular path. Therefore, the motion of the spinning wheel is the circular motion. Thus, the option B is incorrect.

We know that the simple pendulum oscillates back and forth and its motion is simple harmonic motion. Therefore, the option C is incorrect.

When we throw a javelin at some angle with the horizontal, it follows the projectile motion. The projectile motion is the type of curvilinear motion. Therefore, throwing the javelin is the example of curvilinear motion.

So, the correct answer is option D.

Note:Students might think that the motion of the pendulum is the example of curvilinear motion since it forms an arc while moving back and forth. But the motion of a simple pendulum is the oscillatory motion. It follows the same path again and again at a constant interval of time. The kinematics and dynamics of circular motion and oscillatory motion are almost similar.