Explain the concept of degrees of freedom in terms of physics and mechanics.

Step1

Degree of freedom is the number of independent variable which is required to define motion of the system. Degree of freedom is the number of possible motion of the system. Motion can be sliding or rotate. So, there are maximum 6 possible motions of the system, 3 of rotation and 3 of translation. There are 6 maximum possible degrees of freedoms.

Step2

Take an example of slider that is allowed to slide only. So, the slider will have one degree of freedom. Take an example of cylinder which can rotate as well as slide. So, it will have 2 degree of freedom.