In this article we are going to discuss the motion in different dimensions.
Motion in one dimension
An object moving along a straight line or path is said to have one-dimensional motion.
Suppose an object moves in a particular direction then its position at any time can be described by knowing its distance from the starting point of the motion. It means, only one position coordinate (say, x) is required to describe the position of the object in one dimensional motion.
Example: Motion of a bus on a straight road and motion of a train on a straight track, an object dropped from a certain height above the ground etc.
Motion in two dimensions
If two of the three co-ordinates specifying the position of object changes w.r.t. time, then the motion of object is called two dimensional. In such a motion the object moves in a plane.
Example:
An insect crawling on the floor of the room, motion of object in horizontal and vertical circles etc., motion of planets around the sun, a car moving along a zig-zag path on a level road.
Motion in three dimensions
If all the three co-ordinates specifying the position of object changes w.r.t. time, then the motion of object is called three dimensional. In such a motion the object moves in a space.
Example:
An insect flying in the room, random motion of gas molecules, motion of a helicopter in sky.
Related Physics Articles:
-
Speed
What is speed? The rate of change of position of an object with time in any direction is called its speed. It is equal to the distance travelled by the object per unit time. Speed = Distance / Time Speed has only magnitude and no direction, so it is a scalar quantity. Also the distance…
-
Acceleration
What is acceleration ? The rate of change of velocity on object with time is called its acceleration. It tells how fast the Velocity of an object changes with time. Acceleration = Change in velocity / Time taken Acceleration is a vector quantity. It has the same direction as that of the change in velocity.…
-
Distance and Displacement
Distance or path length It is the length of the actual path traversed by a body between its initial and final positions. As shown in Fig. 3.4, suppose a body moves from position A to B through C. Then Distance covered = AC + CB Important Points Regarding Distance: Distance is a scalar quantity because…