What type of motion is the motion along a straight line? Explain

The motion along a straight line is called rectilinear motion. It means an object moves in a straight path without changing direction. Motion can be of different types such as circular, oscillatory, or rectilinear. When an object moves along a straight path in one direction, it is called rectilinear motion. For example, a car moving on a straight highway or a train moving on a straight railway track shows rectilinear motion.

Characteristics of Rectilinear Motion:

• The path followed is always straight.
• The direction of motion does not change.
• It can be uniform (equal distance in equal time) or non-uniform (unequal distance in equal time).
• Described using displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Examples:

• A ball rolling down a straight slope.
• A freely falling object under gravity (vertically straight line).
• Vehicles moving on a straight road.

Comparison with Other Motions:

Thus, rectilinear motion is the simplest type of motion where an object follows a straight path.