Uniform Motion Definition Overview
Uniform motion is a sort of motion in which an object travels the same distance at the same rate. In a uniform motion, the velocity of the object stays constant.
- The change in position of an object with respect to time is described as motion.
- The two main kinds of motion are uniform motion and non-uniform motion.
- Non-uniform motion occurs when the speed of an object moving in a straight path varies.
- Uniform motion occurs when an object moves in a straight line at a constant speed.
In uniform motion, the object's velocity stays constant as it travels equal distances in equal time intervals. The uniform motion distance-time graph reveals a straight line.
What is Motion?
Motion is the change in an object's position with respect to its environment over the course of a specific amount of time. The movement of an item in relation to another object that is stationary is referred to as "motion."
- Atoms are part of the cosmos, which is in a constant state of motion.
- The sort of force acting on the object determines how it responds.
- Motion is divided into three categories based on the direction of movement: linear motion, rotatory motion, and oscillatory motion.
The motion of an object is described by four major parameters as follows:
- Distance
- Displacement
- Speed
- Time
Uniform Motion Definition
An object moves in a manner known as "uniform motion" when it moves at a steady speed.
- It is described as the motion of a moving object moving directly ahead.
- The object moves in a straight path with a constant speed, covering the same amount of ground in an equal amount of time.
- The real distance travelled by the body while moving uniformly determines the displacement's magnitude.
- The body's velocity is determined by the slope of the uniform motion distance-time curve.
- Examples of uniform motion include the rotation of the planet, the movement of a fan's blades, and the movement of a clock's hands.
Uniform Motion Definition: Examples
Here are some prevalent instances of uniform motion that you may encounter every day:
- A clock's hand advances continuously and covers a predetermined distance in 60 minutes.
- Moving of a Fan's Blades.
- Pendulum in Suspension
- An aircraft lifts off at a fixed height and speed.
- An upright, level tricycle travelling steadily.
- A stitching machine's revolving spring in succession.
- A vehicle that is moving steadily and in a straight line.
- A continuous train speeding down the tracks.
- The Earth makes a regular rotation around the sun.
- An identically speeding cooling blower.
Uniform Motion Definition: Formula & SI Unit
Uniform motion is a type of motion in which an object moves in a straight line with a constant speed. The formula for uniform motion is given by:
Distance = speed x time
Here, distance refers to the distance covered by an object in motion, speed refers to the constant speed at which the object is moving, and time refers to the duration of the motion.
The SI unit for distance meters (m), the SI unit for time is seconds (s), and the SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s). Therefore, the SI unit for the formula of uniform motion is meters, which is the unit of distance.
To use the formula for uniform motion, the speed and time must be measured in their respective SI units. For example, if the speed of an object is 10 m/s, and it travels for 5 seconds, then the distance covered by the object can be calculated using the formula:
Distance = speed x time = 10 m/s x 5 s = 50 m
In this case, the distance covered by the object is 50 meters.
Uniform Motion Definition: Graph
According to the definition of "uniform motion," it is a sort of motion in which an object travels the same distance in exactly the same amount of time.
- A straight line represents the depiction of uniform motion.
- It is a straight line because the object covers identical distances at equal intervals.
- The object's velocity can be calculated from the uniform motion graph's inclination.
Read more about the Relation Between G and g.
Non-Uniform Motion
An object moving in a non-uniform manner is one that covers varying lengths in the same amount of time. Discontinuous motion or accelerated motion are other names for non-uniform motion.
- It is a kind of motion where an item doesn't move in equal segments over an equal amount of time.
- The motion of an object is said to be non-uniform when its speed varies in various ways within the same time interval.
- Non-uniform motion will have a curved line as its graph.
Non Uniform Motion Examples
- If a vehicle travels 10 meters in the first two seconds and 15 meters in the next two seconds.
- The motion of a railway.
People frequently mix up uniform motion and uniform acceleration. In the later phenomena, the object has a constant acceleration in rectilinear motion, which means the object has a different speed every second, plainly defining that motion is changing.
Uniform Motion Definition and Comparison with Non-Uniform Motion
Comparison Parameters |
Uniform Motion |
Non Uniform Motion |
Definition |
This is the motion of an object in which the object moves in a straight line and its velocity stays constant along that line as it covers equal distances in equal intervals of time, regardless of time duration. |
This form of motion is defined as an object moving at a variable speed and not covering the same distance in equal time intervals, regardless of the time interval duration. |
Average Speed |
The motion is similar to the actual speed of the object. |
The motion is different from the actual speed of the object. |
Rectilinear Motion |
It has zero acceleration. |
It has non-zero acceleration. |
Graph |
Distance-time graph shows a straight line |
Distance-time graph shows a curved line |
Distance |
Covers equal distances in the equal time interval. |
Covers unequal distances in the equal time interval. |
Uniform Motion Definition: Previous Year Questions
CBSE Board Questions:
A car covers a distance of 90 km in 2 hours. What is its average speed?
Solution:
Average speed = total distance covered / total time taken
Average speed = 90 km / 2 hours
Average speed = 45 km/h
A train travels at a speed of 72 km/h for 5 hours. How far does it travel during this time?
Solution:
Distance travelled = speed x time
Distance travelled = 72 km/h x 5 hours
Distance travelled = 360 km
A cyclist covers a distance of 24 km at a speed of 8 km/h. How long does it take to complete the journey?
Solution:
Time taken = distance/speed
Time taken = 24 km / 8 km/h
Time taken = 3 hours
A boat can travel 15 km upstream in 3 hours and the same distance downstream in 2 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the stream.
Solution:
Let the speed of the boat in still water be x km/h and the speed of the stream be y km/h.
Upstream speed = x - y km/h
Downstream speed = x + y km/h
15 km upstream in 3 hours gives: 3(x - y) = 15, which gives: x - y = 5
15 km downstream in 2 hours gives: 2(x + y) = 15, which gives: x + y = 7.5
Solving these equations, we get:
x = 6.25 km/h (speed of the boat in still water)
y = 1.25 km/h (speed of the stream)
A car travels a distance of 420 km at an average speed of 70 km/h. How long does it take to complete the journey?
Solution:
Time taken = distance / speed
Time taken = 420 km / 70 km/h
Time taken = 6 hours
ISCE Board Questions:
A train covers a distance of 360 km at a speed of 90 km/h. How long does it take to complete the journey?
Solution:
Time taken = distance / speed
Time taken = 360 km / 90 km/h
Time taken = 4 hours
A car travels at a speed of 80 km/h for 4 hours. How far does it travel during this time?
Solution:
Distance travelled = speed x time
Distance travelled = 80 km/h x 4 hours
Distance travelled = 320 km
A cyclist travels a distance of 24 km in 3 hours. What is his average speed?
Solution:
Average speed = total distance covered / total time taken
Average speed = 24 km / 3 hours
Average speed = 8 km/h
A boat travels a distance of 30 km upstream in 5 hours and the same distance downstream in 3 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water and the speed of the stream.
Solution:
Let the speed of the boat in still water be x km/h and the speed of the stream be y km/h.
Upstream speed = x - y km/h
Downstream speed = x + y km/h
30 km upstream in 5 hours gives: 5(x - y) = 30, which gives: x - y = 6
30 km downstream in 3 hours gives: 3(x + y) = 30, which gives: x + y = 10
Solving these equations, we get:
x = 8 km/h (speed of the boat in still water)
y = 2 km/h (speed of the stream