CBSE - Physics - Motion

 Examples of rectilinear motion in our daily lives.

• People riding an elevator are in rectilinear motion, along with the elevator, within a building
• Any metal object in free fall, which is under the influence of gravitational forces is rectilinear motion
• Hot water that falls into a tea cup from a vending machine is in rectilinear motion
• Athletes running the 100-meter dash along the track are in rectilinear motion
• Planes in the sky that move in a straight path are considered to be in rectilinear motion
• A ball rolling down an inclined path is considered to be in rectilinear motion
• People marching at the San Francisco Pride Parade are in rectilinear motion
• The famous story of Newton’s falling apple would have been in rectilinear motion
• Bowling balls within a lane are in rectilinear motion
• The local school bus driving down the street is in rectilinear motion
• Skateboarders going down an inclined path are in rectilinear motion

It is important to note that rectilinear motion does not need to take place within one dimension or a single plane. Although we may map it along the x-axis or y-axis, it is possible for motion to occur along a straight path that is multi-dimensional, or on more than one plane. Let’s take the example of the rolling ball down an inclined path: the inclined path is not a long one axis, but the ball rolling down the path is considered to be rectilinear motion, so long as it is following a straight path.