Grade 6 –Science Notes
Motion and measurement of distances-notes
In ancient time man used to move only on foot and carry goods either on his back or on the back of some
animals. A great change in the modes of transport was made by the invention of wheel and by the
invention of steam engine.
Non-standard measures: The length of foot span, hands pan, cubit, angel (finger), muthi (fist) etc. of
different people are different, therefore the distance measured with their help is not always reliable.
These methods are, therefore, called non-standard measures.
Standard measures: Measures that are the same all over the world are known as standard measures. In
October 1960, the 12th general conference on weight and measures adopted the International system of
units. “The System International Units” is the set of units to maintain uniformity all over the world.
Unit of measurements
• It involves the comparison of an unknown quantity with some known quantity of the same kind.
• This known fixed quantity is called unit.
• The result of measurement is expressed in two parts. One part is a number; the other part is the
unit of measurement.
•
Meter: It is the standard unit of length. The symbol of meter is m.
Each meter (m) is divided into 100 equal divisions, called centimeter (cm). Each centimeter has ten equal
divisions, called millimeter (mm). Thus
1 m = 100 cm
1 cm = 10 mm
for measuring large distances, meter is not a convenient unit. We define a larger unit of length. It is
called kilometer (km).
1 km = 1000 m.
Making measurement of a length: In making measurement of length of an object, we should follow the
following procedure/PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE MEASUREMENT:
1. Place the scale in contact with the object along its length as shown in Fig.
2. Measurement with a scale with broken ends:
• Avoid taking measurements from zero mark.
• Use any other full mark of the scale, say 1.0 cm.
• Subtract the reading of this mark from the reading at the other end. For example if the reading at
starting mark is 1.0 cm and at the other ends it is 6.5 cm. Therefore, the length of the object is (6.5
– 1.0) cm = 5.5 cm.
3. Correct position of the eye is also important for making measurement. Your eye must be exactly
above the point where the measurement is to be taken. Position ‘A’ is the correct position of the eye.
Note that from position A’, the reading is 1.0 cm. From positions ‘B’ and ‘C’, the readings may be different.
Measuring the length of a curved line:
We cannot measure the length of a curved line directly by using a meter scale. We can use a thread and
a ruler to measure the length of a curved line. (Procedure in n/b).
MOTION
Motion: It is a state of objects in which they are moving, that is, they are changing their place with the
changing time.
Rest: All the stationary objects which are not in motion, that is, do not change their place with time are
said to be at rest.
TYPES OF MOTION:
1. Rectilinear motion: When the objects change their position with time along a straight line, this type of
motion is called rectilinear motion. Examples:
• Soldiers marching in a parade.
• Motion of light
• A car travelling straight on an highway
2. Circular motion: When a body moves in a circular path, its motion is known as circular motion. In
circular motion, the object remains at the same distance from a fixed point. Examples:
• Motion of stone tied in a thread and whirled.
• Motion of a blade of an electric fan.
• Motion of second’s hand in a clock.
3. Rotational motion: Motion in which a whole body moves about an axis is called a rotational motion.
Example:
• motion of a spinning top
• motion of earth on its axis
4. Periodic motion: Motion in which an object repeats its motion after a fixed interval of time is called
periodic motion.
Examples:
• Oscillations of a pendulum.
• Motion of a swing.
• Motion of a ringing bell
• Motion observed in a guitar string.
Combination of two or more types of motions:
In some situations, the motion of an object may be a combination of two or more of the above
mentioned types of motion.
Examples:
• Motion of a ball on the ground. Here, the ball is rotating about an axis but
the axis itself is moving along a straight line. Thus, the ball executes a
rectilinear motion as well as rotational motion.
• Motion of earth—earth executes rotations on its axis (rotational motion)
and also revolves around the sun (circular motion). It takes 24 hrs to rotate
and 365 days to revolve around the sun (periodic).
• Motion of the needles in the clock- The needles move in a circular path
(circular motion). The needles move on the center axis (rotational
motion).The minute hand completes a full circle in 1hr and repeats its motion (periodic).
• Sewing machine- The needle shows rectilinear and periodic motion.
