Question

Explain the meaning of rectilinear motion.

Answer 1

Hint:Recall that motion is the process of change in the position of the body or an object with time. It is said that in this universe everything is in motion. The motion of the objects can be fast or slow. The motion has magnitude and direction in order to completely represent it.

Complete answer:
Step I:
The motion of an object or a body only along a straight line is known as rectilinear motion. It is the motion of a particle in one dimension only. Linear or rectilinear motion can be of two types:
-Uniform Linear motion
-Non uniform Linear motion

Step II:
-Uniform Linear motion: The type of motion in which the object travels in a straight line with constant velocity in equal intervals of time. The acceleration of the object is zero in this motion.
-Non-Uniform Linear Motion: The type of motion in which the object travels with changing velocity in equal intervals of time. The acceleration of the object is not zero in this type of motion.

Step III:
An example of rectilinear motion is a vehicle travelling along a straight road.

OR
Another example can be the march past of military personnel is always along a straight line.

Note:It is to be remembered that linear motion is considered as the most basic types of motion. Also as per Newton’s First law of motion, if no external force is applied on the objects, they will not change their path and will continue to move in a linear or rectilinear motion.