Which type of motion occurs when a body moves in a straight line or curved path?

Linear motion is characterized by movement in a straight line or along a curved path, without any rotation. This type of motion involves a change in position of an object in a direct line or along a specified route. Important concepts associated with linear motion include distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration, all of which describe how an object is moving spatially.

In contrast, rotational motion involves an object spinning around an axis; this could be either a fixed point or a line passing through it. Angular motion refers specifically to that type of motion measured in angles, often concerning circular paths, distinct from the straightforward displacement in linear motion. Vertical motion, meanwhile, pertains specifically to movement that occurs in the up or down direction under the influence of gravity, which can be considered a subset of linear motion but does not capture the complete definition. Thus, the definition of linear motion accurately encompasses various types of movements, making it the correct choice.