Types of Motion

Speed

The rate of movement of a body is called its speed. Speed it is described in metres per second, (m/s) when using the metric International System of Units (SI).

Velocity

Velocity includes two elements, the speed of a body and its direction, e.g. a body is moving at 2 metres per second North.

Acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. The change may be a change in speed or a change in direction, or a change in speed and direction.

Linear motion

Motion in a straight line is called linear motion.

Reciprocating motion

Motion backwards and forwards in a straight line is called reciprocating motion.

Rotary motion

Motion along a circular path is called rotary motion.

Elliptical motion

Motion along an elliptical path is called elliptical motion.

Oscillating motion

A swinging motion is called oscillating motion

Helical motion

Helical motion is a combination of rotary motion and linear motion, e.g. imagine the path of a point (its locus) on one face of a nut rotating and moving along a screw. The point has rotary motion but it also moves along the screw.

Spiral motion

Spiral motion is a type of rotary motion where the radius of rotation of a body increases incrementally, creating a spiral.

Conical motion

Conical motion is a combination of spiral motion and linear motion, e.g. imagine the path of a point (its locus) moving from the apex of a cone (the tip of the cone) to the base as it moves around the cone.