Understanding Rotational Motion: Definition, Examples, and More

Rotational motion is a type of motion that occurs when an object spins around a fixed axis. The axis can be imaginary or real, and the object can rotate in any direction, including clockwise or counterclockwise.

In rotational motion, the object's position changes as it moves around the axis, but its distance from the axis remains constant. This is different from translational motion, where the object moves along a straight line and its position changes both linearly and radially.

Some common examples of rotational motion include:

1. The Earth rotating on its axis once every 24 hours
2. A car spinning its wheels to turn
3. A merry-go-round spinning around its center pole
4. A top spinning on its axis
5. A planet orbiting around a star.

In all these cases, the object is undergoing rotational motion because it is spinning around a fixed axis, and its position changes as it moves around that axis.