Uniform and Non Uniform Motion Definition, Examples, Graphs and Comparison

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Uniform Motion Definition, Examples, Graphs and Previous Year Questions

Kasturi Talukdar

Updated on 18th May, 2023 , 6 min read

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.

  1. The change in position of an object with respect to time is described as motion.
  2. The two main kinds of motion are uniform motion and non-uniform motion.
  3. Non-uniform motion occurs when the speed of an object moving in a straight path varies.
  4. 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."

  1. Atoms are part of the cosmos, which is in a constant state of motion.
  2. The sort of force acting on the object determines how it responds.
  3. 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: 

  1. Distance
  2. Displacement
  3. Speed
  4. Time

Uniform Motion Definition 

An object moves in a manner known as "uniform motion" when it moves at a steady speed.

  1. It is described as the motion of a moving object moving directly ahead.
  2. The object moves in a straight path with a constant speed, covering the same amount of ground in an equal amount of time.
  3. The real distance travelled by the body while moving uniformly determines the displacement's magnitude.
  4. The body's velocity is determined by the slope of the uniform motion distance-time curve.
  5. 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:

  1. A clock's hand advances continuously and covers a predetermined distance in 60 minutes.
  2. Moving of a Fan's Blades.
  3. Pendulum in Suspension
  4. An aircraft lifts off at a fixed height and speed.
  5. An upright, level tricycle travelling steadily.
  6. A stitching machine's revolving spring in succession.
  7. A vehicle that is moving steadily and in a straight line.
  8. A continuous train speeding down the tracks.
  9. The Earth makes a regular rotation around the sun.
  10. 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.

  1. A straight line represents the depiction of uniform motion.
  2. It is a straight line because the object covers identical distances at equal intervals.
  3. 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.

  1. It is a kind of motion where an item doesn't move in equal segments over an equal amount of time.
  2. The motion of an object is said to be non-uniform when its speed varies in various ways within the same time interval.
  3. Non-uniform motion will have a curved line as its graph.

Non Uniform Motion Examples

  1. If a vehicle travels 10 meters in the first two seconds and 15 meters in the next two seconds.
  2. 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is uniform motion Definition?

Uniform motion is the type of motion where an object moves in a straight line with constant speed.

What are the characteristics of uniform motion?

The characteristics of uniform motion are constant speed, constant velocity, and no acceleration.

How is uniform motion different from non-uniform motion?

Uniform motion is the type of motion where the speed is constant, while non-uniform motion is the type of motion where the speed changes over time.

What is the formula for uniform motion?

The formula for uniform motion is distance = speed x time, where distance is the distance travelled, speed is the constant speed, and time is the duration of travel.

What are some real-life examples of uniform motion?

Some real-life examples of uniform motion are a car moving at a constant speed on a highway, a train moving on a straight track, and a satellite moving in a circular orbit.

What is the SI unit of uniform motion?

The SI unit of uniform motion is meters per second (m/s).

How can uniform motion be represented graphically?

Uniform motion can be represented graphically by a straight line on a distance-time graph, where the slope of the line represents the constant speed.

What is the importance of uniform motion in physics?

Uniform motion is important in physics because it provides a simple and idealized model for analyzing motion in many real-life situations.

How is uniform circular motion different from uniform motion?

Uniform circular motion is the type of motion where an object moves in a circular path with a constant speed, while uniform motion is the type of motion where an object moves in a straight line with constant speed.

Can an object be in uniform motion if its direction changes?

No, an object cannot be in uniform motion if its direction changes because uniform motion involves moving in a straight line with constant speed, and changing direction implies a change in velocity and acceleration.

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