Question

Is it possible to convert rotational motion into linear? How?

Answer 1

Hint :The rotational motion can be defined as the motion of a body rotating around its center of mass. The linear motion is defined as the motion of a body that moves in a straight line or in a single dimension only, also known as the rectilinear motion.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Rotational motion is obtained in a body, when the body rotates around its centre of mass i.e. a fixed point or a fixed axis. Rotational motion is also obtained when a body revolves around a fixed point or fixed axis.
In rotational motion, the velocity of a point or a body at every point in rotation is tangential to the point and tends to move outwards.
Let us consider a point P that is revolving around a fixed point in a circular pattern. Hence, it is following rotational motion.
Now, consider a projection of the circular orbit in a single dimension or assume that the circular orbit is compressed so that it gives a straight line.
Hence, the point P considered to be moving around the orbit will be observed to be moving in a straight line into and fro motion or up and down motion.
Hence, the projection of rotational motion is a linear motion. Hence, the rotational motion can be converted to linear motion.
To convert the rotational motion to linear motion, a mechanism called slider crank mechanism is used.
Here, there is a rotating body known as the crank. A rigid rod can be attached to the crank at a point on the boundary such that it can rotate about a fixed point freely.
The other end of the rod is connected to a slider which is bound to move in any one dimension only.
When the crank rotates, the connecting rod rotates with it and alternatively pushes and pulls the slider resulting in a linear motion.
This mechanism is used in the I.C. Engine that is used to run the automobiles, in which the motion of the slider due to burning of fuel rotates the wheel.
The conversion from linear motion to rotational motion by similar method.

Note :
The Newton’s Laws of motion and equations for uniformly accelerated motion can also be used for the rotational motion by replacing the linear displacement with angular displacement, linear velocity with angular velocity, linear acceleration with angular acceleration, and mass with moment of inertia.