Cases of Uniform Velocity

Introduction

Time and velocity were represented by Nicolas Oresme in the 14th century. The term velocity tells us about the movement of any object. In our day-to-day life, we see several objects, some are in motion, and some are at rest. When the object changes its position with respect to time, it is in motion. When the object does not change its position with respect to time, it is not in motion. So, in this article, let us understand more about velocity, types of velocity, uniform velocity definition, examples of uniform velocity, non-uniform velocity, and examples of non-uniform velocity.

Body

What is velocity?

Velocity is a time function. The velocity of an object can be defined as the rate of change of an object’s position with respect to a frame of reference. It is also known as instantaneous velocity. Or we can say that speeding in a specific direction is known as velocity. In kinematics, velocity is a fundamental concept. Velocity is a vector quantity, meaning magnitude(speed) and direction are required to define the velocity. The SI unit of velocity is m/s (meter per second). When both the speed and direction of the object changes, then the object is said to be accelerated. There are different types of velocities like average velocity, relative velocity, constant velocity, etc., but two main velocities are important. 

Velocity can be of two types

1. Uniform Velocity 
2. Non-Uniform Velocity

What is Uniform Velocity?

Definition of Uniform velocity –

In uniform velocity, uniform means “remaining the same”, and velocity means “speed of an object in a given direction”. And uniform velocity means the velocity remains constant, as it does not change. 

A body when covers an equal distance with an equal interval of time, this condition of the velocity is known as uniform velocity. Or, we can say that when the direction and magnitude of speed of a body do not change with time, then the body is said to be at uniform velocity.

The equation for Uniform velocity

d = vt

Where, 

d is displacement

v is velocity 

t is time (time and velocity are constant)

Example of Uniform velocity

• Rotation of Earth
• Movement of hands of a clock
• Revolution of earth
• Rotation of moon around the earth
• Movement of fan

What is non-uniform velocity?

Definition of non-uniform velocity –

In non-uniform velocity, non-uniform means “not the same or not constant”, and velocity means “speed of an object in a given direction”. And, non-uniform velocity means the velocity is not constant and gets changed.

When a body covers an unequal distance with an equal interval of time, in this condition, the velocity is known as non-uniform velocity. Or we can say that when the direction of a body or its speed changes, it is said to be moving with a non-uniform velocity.

Examples of non-uniform velocity

• An oscillation of a pendulum
• The motion of a vehicle
• A bouncy ball
• Asteroid movement
• A dog running

Uniform motion

When the distance traveled by an object remains same or constant over constant intervals of time then the object is in uniform motion. Consider a train that covers 50km in 1 hour and again covers the next 50km in 1 hour, so it is called uniform motion.

Uniform motion cases

• Constant speed
• Constant velocity
• Constant acceleration
• Constant direction

Uniform circular motion

The name itself defines the motion. When an object moves in a circular direction at a uniform speed, it is known as circular motion. We can take a fan or cooling fan as an example. When we switch on the cooler fan and give it some time to come at its regular speed, then the uniform speed of the cooler fan is said to be in a uniform circular motion. In this case, the direction changes, but speed is constant.

The formula to calculate the speed of uniform motion

   s = 2πr/t

Where, s is the speed of the object

2πr is the circumference of a circular path

 t is the time, and r is the radius of the circular path.

Non-uniform motion

When the distance traveled and time covered by the object is not the same or not constant, the distance is unequal, but the time is the same is known as non-uniform motion. Consider a train covering the distance of 50km in 1 hour and then covering 40km in 1 hour and so on, so it is called non-uniform motion. When the distance changes but the time remains, the same is the condition of non-uniform motion.

Non-uniform motion cases

• Speed changes
• Direction changes
• Speed and direction both changes

Non-uniform circular motion

When revolving in a circle, the speed of an object changes, then it is said to be non-uniform circular motion. The angular velocity and the speed of an object are changed during a non-uniform circular motion.

Conclusion

We can find the uniform and non-uniform motion in our day-to-day lives in living and non-living bodies. Uniform velocity and non-uniform velocity are used in every big and small body. Non-uniform motion leads to a non-straight line on a linear path. The speed of a car is usually non-uniform as it might accelerate or decelerate. There might be an “n” number of forces on the body, but these forces are not adding any value, meaning they are adding up to zero. When a body is going under a circular uniform motion, the speed of the body and the force needed to maintain the motion have certain relationships.