Uniform and Non-uniform Motion in a Straight Line

An object is said to be in motion when it changes its position in relation to its surroundings with time. With time, the object also changes its position. Linear motion is known as the motion in a straight line. It is a one-dimensional motion. 

Linear motion is a kind of one-dimensional motion. It is suggested in Newton’s first law that “an object will remain in the motion unless or until external force will be applied on it”. 

Based on the nature of displacement, linear motion is classified into two:

1. Uniform motion

2. Non-uniform motion

Uniform Motion 

Definition: Uniform motion is described in physics as motion in which the velocity of a body travelling in a straight line remains constant. Uniform motion occurs when the distance travelled by a moving object is the same at multiple time intervals, regardless of time length.

As there is a constant velocity with regard to time, the distance/time graph indicates a uniform or consistent shift in the distance.

Slope =dy/dx=Displacement/Time

Velocity =d/t= Constant

Uniform motion can be observed in the following examples:

• The clock’s hour hand operates at a constant speed, covering a specific distance in an hour.

• An aeroplane travelling at a constant speed and altitude.

• A car travelling at a constant speed along a straight, flat route.

• A sewing machine’s vibrating spring.

• A ship sailing in a straight line at a constant pace.

• A train moving at a steady pace along the tracks.

• The motion of the Earth around the sun is consistent.

• A constant-speed cooling fan is used.

• The fan is moving.

• The amplitudes of both sides of a pendulum are equal.

Non-uniform Motion 

Non-uniform motion is described as movement in which an object does not travel the same distances in the same time intervals, regardless of the duration of those time intervals. When the speed of a moving item rises by a variable proportion at the same time interval, the motion of the body is perceived to be non-uniform motion. The distance/time graph shows that the object’s rate of displacement varies every minute as its velocity rises or falls with respect to time.

There is no acceleration if the body remains stationary or travels at a steady speed. 

A uniformly variable motion can be positively accelerated (a> 0) or negatively accelerated (a< 0) and it can be in motion without a starting speed (v0 = 0) or be in motion with an initial speed (v0> 0) depending on the acceleration sign. A constant acceleration movement is known as a uniformly variable movement. This implies that any change in velocity is multiplied by the time interval, resulting in the same acceleration value.

Examples of non-uniform Motion:

The majority of the motions we see around us are non-uniform. Here are a few examples:

• A horse galloping

• An athlete competing in a 100m dash.

• A bouncing ball

• A plane flies through the clouds before landing.

• Taking a box down a path

• A bus passes through the market on its route to its destination.

• An automobile that has come to a complete stop

• A train approaching its final destination 

• An asteroid moving.

Difference between Uniform and Non-uniform Motion in a Straight Line

Conclusion

There are two types of motion: uniform motion and non-uniform motion. The term “uniform motion” refers to motion in which the velocity remains constant. When an object’s velocity varies, such as when it speeds up or slows down or changes direction, it is said to be in non-uniform motion. The difference between uniform and non-uniform motion is determined by the velocity of the moving body, regardless of whether the velocity is changing or remains unchanged.