Table of Contents
Rigid Body Motion or Motion of a Rigid Body
In this article we will try to understand motion of a rigid body and its different types. But before moving further in our topic let us first understand the definition of a rigid body.
A rigid body is a solid body in which the distance between two points remains constant irrespective of the action of external forces. We can also say that in a rigid body deformation is zero or so small that it can be neglected.
Motion of a rigid body can be broadly divided into two categories
- Plane motion
- Space motion
Now let us understand each type of rigid body motion in detail.
Plane motion
Plane motion is a type of rigid body motion in which the velocity vectors of all the moving points (of the body) lie in a single plane.
Plane motion can also be categorized into three sub-types.
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Pure rotation
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Pure translation
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Both rotation and translation
Example of pure rotation is the motion of the particles of a wheel rotating on its own axis.
Example of pure translation is the motion of the particles of a wheel rolling on a plane surface.
Pure translation can be further subdivided into two types.
- Rectilinear translation
- Curvilinear translation
Rectilinear translation is the motion of particles in a straight line and curvilinear translation is the motion of particles in a curved path.
Example of both rotation and translation is the particles of a hinged object (as shown in figure).
Rotation and Translation
Space motion
Space motion is a type of rigid body motion in which the velocity vectors of all the moving points (of the body) do not lie in a single plane.
Example of space motion is the motion of the particles of a spinning top.