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: Any motion which involves going through a curved (non-straight) path is called curvilinear motion. Any motion other than straight line will be an example of curvilinear motion. Imagine the motion for each of the options and check if they are linear or curvilinear.

Complete Step By Step Solution:
 Curvilinear motion is a type of motion in which the body goes through a curved path.
An apple falling from a tree will be an example of straight-line motion because it will fall vertically downwards in the gravity following a straight line. So this is not an example of curvilinear motion.

In a spinning wheel, the motion is circular. Circular motion is the type of motion in which the trajectory or the path of an object is circular. A centripetal force is required for this type of motion to take place.

A pendulum swings back and forth forming an arc. This is an example of oscillatory motion. In this type of motion, the object follows a specific path after a specific interval of time. In this case, it is part of circular motion, so kinematics and dynamics of motion will be similar to that of circular motion.

A Javelin follows a parabolic shape. This type of motion generally takes place when a constant force is acting on the body. This motion is also called projectile motion and is similar to the motion of a stone thrown at some angle.

Out of all the given examples, only the motion of a projectile is considered to be curvilinear motion. Hence, the correct answer to the given question should be option D.

Note: The motion of the spinning wheel and pendulum come in separate categories of rotational motion and oscillatory motion respectively and not considered to be undergoing curvilinear motion. Only a projectile’s motion is along a curve and hence, considered curvilinear.