[Physics] Rotational motion and Circular motion

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What is the difference between rotational motion and circular motion? Are they same or they different?

Best Answer

"Circular motion" usually refers to a point mass (or an object small enough to be considered a point mass) moving along a circular trajectory. An example would be a ball being swung around at the end of a rope.

"Rotational motion" usually refers to a larger body changing its orientation in space. An example would be a wheel turning on a fixed axis, or the tumbling of an object as it falls freely. If the axis of the rotation is fixed, then every particle in the body is in circular motion, since every point moves along a circular path.

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