Different Types of Movement (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note

Types of movement

Linear movement

• Movement in straight lines (up/down, forwards/backwards, side-to-side)

• Examples: drawer slides, automatic doors

Rotary movement

• Circular movement around a fixed or centre point

• Also called circular movement

• Examples: vehicle wheels, clock hands

Reciprocating movement

• Back-and-forth straight-line motion which repeats continuously

• Requires conversion from rotary to linear motion

• Example: electric saw blade

Oscillating movement

• Back-and-forth arced motion which repeats continuously

• Arced movement around a fixed pivot (not a full circle)

• Example: grandfather clock pendulum