What type of motion can a cam produce?

A cam is a mechanical component that is specifically designed to convert rotary motion into another type of motion. The primary function of a cam is to dictate the movement of a follower, which translates the rotational movement of the cam into reciprocating, oscillatory, or linear motion, depending on the design of the system.

In this context, choosing rotary motion demonstrates an understanding of how a cam operates. It rotates around an axis, and the shape and profile of the cam determine how this rotation translates to the follower's movement. For instance, as the cam rotates, specific points on its surface will push the follower up or down, resulting in a conversion of the rotary motion into a different form of motion as it follows the cam's contour.

It's important to note that while a cam can ultimately produce linear or oscillatory motion in the follower, the motion it inherently generates is rotary. Therefore, identifying rotary motion as the correct answer highlights the cam's primary mechanism of operation in mechanical systems.