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Uniform Motion and Non Uniform Motion - Definition, Example, Types, FAQs

Uniform Motion and Non Uniform Motion - Definition, Example, Types, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 04:38 PM IST

What is uniform motion and Non-Uniform motion?

In our surroundings there are several living and non-living things present whether we are humans, animals, birds, fishes, trains, cars, etc. All these objects, some do motion (move) while some stay at rest. A body is said to be in motion when it continuously changes its position with respect to time and stationary object taken as a reference point and an object said to be in rest if it does not change its position with respect to time and stationary object taken as reference point. For example, you are driving a car with a constant speed, the position of the car also changes constantly with respect to time and your stationary object like house, office or school etc. it means the car is in motion. Motion can be of two types: uniform motion and non-uniform motion let discuss one by one in brief.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is uniform motion and Non-Uniform motion?
  2. Motion: Definition, Example, Types
  3. What is non uniform motion?
  4. Difference between uniform and nonuniform motion
Uniform Motion and Non Uniform Motion - Definition, Example, Types, FAQs
Uniform Motion and Non Uniform Motion - Definition, Example, Types, FAQs

Motion: Definition, Example, Types

Motion Definition: When an object changes its position by the time along with surroundings it is to be known as in motion. For example: moving cars, buses, trains, flying birds, running man etc.

Motion

(Source: using MS word shapes)

Uniform motion definition: An object is said to have uniform motion when object cover equal distance in equal interval of time within exact fixed direction.

Also read -

Example of uniform motion: If an object in uniform motion covers 1m in 1 minute in a given direction, it indicates that it covers 2m in every 2min, 3m in every 3min, 4m in every 4min… and so on.


uniform motion graph

(Source: using MS word graph)

Some Important features of Uniform motion:

  1. For uniform motion along a straight path in same direction magnitude of displacement is equal to actual distance covered by body.

2. No force is required in order to maintain the motion.

  1. When a body is having uniform motion along a straight line in a given direction then, the magnitude of the displacement of the body is equal to the actual distance travelled by body in given time.
  2. In a uniform motion along a straight line the slope obtained from the position-time graph gives the velocity of the body.
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What is non uniform motion?

Non-Uniform motion definition: When the velocity changes of a body by time then it is called by non-uniform motion. Example of non uniform motion: Suppose a vehicle starts moving from rest, its velocity increases for some time, then the velocity may become constant for some time along with finally slow down as well as come to rest again the velocity of vehicle is different at the different instants along with so it has non uniform motion.


Non-Uniform motion graph

(Source: using MS word graph)

Also Read:

Difference between uniform and nonuniform motion

Uniform motion
Non-uniform motion
An object covers equal distance which is equal interval of the time then object is said to have uniform motion.
An object covers the unequal distance which is equal intervals of time then the object is said to have non uniform motion.
In uniform motion the object have steady speed or velocity.In non uniform motion the object have variable speed or velocity.
Graph plotting between distance and time is always a straight line.Graph plotting between distance and time is a
not a straight line.
In uniform motion acceleration is Zero.In non uniform motion acceleration is non-zero.

Terms related to Uniform and Non Uniform motion

Define uniform speed?

Uniform speed: An object is having the motion with uniform speed, and if it covers equal distance which is in equal distance in the equal interval of time. For example if the car is still in the motion on straight road from home to office, where the distance between office as well as home is 80km in 4 hour and covers 20km in every one hour10km in every half an hour 5km and so on, then we can say that car is with a uniform speed of 20km/h.

Define uniform velocity?

Uniform velocity: A body having motion with uniform velocity if the body over equal displacement in equal intervals of time however small-time intervals may be.

Define uniform acceleration?

Uniform acceleration: The acceleration of the object is uniformly accelerated when the velocity changes by the equal amount in that particular interval of time however small-time intervals may be.

Also check-

NCERT Physics Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do you mean by uniform velocity?

A body is said to be in the motion with uniform velocity even it covers the equal displacement by an equal interval of time although small time intervals may be.

2. What is difference between Uniform motion and Non-uniform motion?

Uniform motion

Non-uniform motion

An object covers equal distance which is equal interval of the time then object is said to have uniform motion.

An object covers the  unequal distance which is equal intervals of time then the object is said to have non-uniform motion.

Steady speed or velocity

Variable speed or velocity

Graph plotting between distance and time is always a straight line.

Graph plotting between distance and time is a

not a straight line.

Acceleration is Zero.

Acceleration is non-zero.

3. What does the body undergo uniform Acceleration?

The acceleration of an object is said to be uniform acceleration if its velocity changes by equal amounts in equal intervals of time however small-time intervals may be.

4. Is velocity the scalar quantity or vector quantity?

Velocity is the vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction. It can be positive, negative and zero.

5. Which speed is measured by the speedometer of your motorcycle?

The speedometer of the motorcycle measures instantaneous speed at a given instant of time. Instantaneous speed: is the speed of the object at a given instant of time is called instantaneous speed.

6. How does non-uniform motion differ from uniform motion?
Non-uniform motion occurs when an object's speed, direction, or both change over time. Unlike uniform motion, the velocity is not constant, and the object may accelerate or decelerate.
7. Can an object in uniform motion change direction?
No, an object in uniform motion cannot change direction. By definition, uniform motion occurs in a straight line. Any change in direction would result in non-uniform motion.
8. Is it possible for an object to have constant speed but non-uniform motion?
Yes, it is possible. An object moving in a circular path at constant speed is an example. The speed remains constant, but the direction changes continuously, resulting in non-uniform motion.
9. What is the acceleration of an object in uniform motion?
The acceleration of an object in uniform motion is zero. Since velocity (both speed and direction) remains constant, there is no change in velocity over time, resulting in zero acceleration.
10. How can you determine if an object is in uniform motion using a position-time graph?
In a position-time graph, uniform motion is represented by a straight line. The slope of this line represents the constant velocity of the object.
11. What is the significance of uniform motion in physics?
Uniform motion serves as a fundamental concept in physics. It provides a simple model for understanding motion, forms the basis for more complex motion analysis, and is crucial in developing laws of motion and energy conservation principles.
12. How does uniform motion relate to relative motion?
Uniform motion is relative to the observer's frame of reference. An object in uniform motion relative to one observer may appear in non-uniform motion to another observer moving at a different velocity.
13. How does the concept of inertia relate to uniform motion?
Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. It explains why an object in uniform motion continues to move at constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.
14. Can uniform motion occur in a fluid?
Ideal uniform motion is challenging to achieve in a fluid due to fluid resistance. However, approximate uniform motion can occur if the fluid's resistance is perfectly balanced by a propulsive force.
15. How does the concept of uniform motion relate to space travel?
In space, far from significant gravitational influences, spacecraft can achieve near-uniform motion. This principle is used in planning long-distance space travel, where spacecraft can coast for long periods without propulsion.
16. What does a curved line in a position-time graph indicate?
A curved line in a position-time graph indicates non-uniform motion. The changing slope of the curve represents varying velocity over time.
17. Can an object in free fall experience uniform motion?
No, an object in free fall cannot experience uniform motion. Due to the constant acceleration caused by gravity, the object's velocity changes continuously, resulting in non-uniform motion.
18. How does non-uniform motion appear on a velocity-time graph?
Non-uniform motion appears as a non-horizontal line on a velocity-time graph. An increasing slope indicates acceleration, while a decreasing slope shows deceleration.
19. How does air resistance affect uniform motion?
Air resistance typically causes non-uniform motion. It acts as a force opposing the object's motion, causing deceleration and eventually leading to non-uniform motion unless compensated by another force.
20. Can a car traveling on a highway be considered in uniform motion?
While a car on a highway may appear to be in uniform motion, it's rarely perfect uniform motion. Small variations in speed due to road conditions, wind, or driver adjustments result in slight non-uniformity.
21. What is uniform motion?
Uniform motion is when an object moves at a constant speed in a straight line, covering equal distances in equal intervals of time. The velocity remains constant throughout the motion.
22. What is the relationship between velocity and time in uniform motion?
In uniform motion, velocity remains constant over time. A velocity-time graph for uniform motion would show a horizontal straight line parallel to the time axis.
23. Can uniform motion occur in three dimensions?
Yes, uniform motion can occur in three dimensions. The object must move at a constant velocity (both speed and direction) along a straight line in 3D space.
24. What is the average velocity in uniform motion?
In uniform motion, the average velocity is equal to the instantaneous velocity at any point, as the velocity remains constant throughout the motion.
25. What is the difference between distance and displacement in uniform motion?
In uniform motion along a straight line, distance and displacement are equal. Distance is the total path length traveled, while displacement is the shortest distance between the start and end points.
26. How does air density affect uniform motion?
Changes in air density can affect uniform motion. Higher air density increases air resistance, potentially causing deceleration unless compensated by an additional force to maintain uniform motion.
27. What is the relationship between uniform motion and time dilation in special relativity?
In special relativity, uniform motion at high speeds leads to time dilation. An object moving at constant velocity relative to an observer will experience time passing more slowly than the stationary observer.
28. Can uniform motion occur in quantum systems?
In quantum mechanics, the concept of uniform motion becomes more complex. While particles can have constant average velocity, their exact position and momentum are subject to uncertainty principles, making classical uniform motion an approximation at the quantum scale.
29. How does uniform motion relate to Newton's First Law of Motion?
Newton's First Law states that an object at rest or in uniform motion will remain so unless acted upon by an external force. This law describes the natural state of uniform motion in the absence of forces.
30. Can an object in uniform motion ever come to rest?
An object in true uniform motion cannot come to rest on its own. To stop, an external force must be applied, which would cause deceleration and result in non-uniform motion before stopping.
31. What is the difference between speed and velocity in the context of uniform motion?
In uniform motion, speed and the magnitude of velocity are the same. However, velocity also includes direction. Speed is a scalar quantity, while velocity is a vector quantity.
32. How does gravity affect an object in horizontal uniform motion?
Gravity does not directly affect the horizontal component of motion. An object in horizontal uniform motion will maintain its horizontal velocity, but gravity will cause it to fall vertically, resulting in a parabolic path.
33. Can uniform motion occur in a rotating reference frame?
From the perspective of an observer in the rotating frame, uniform motion can appear to occur. However, from an inertial (non-rotating) reference frame, this motion would be seen as non-uniform due to the rotation.
34. What is the role of friction in uniform motion?
Friction typically opposes uniform motion. To maintain uniform motion in the presence of friction, a constant force must be applied to counteract the frictional force, keeping the net force zero.
35. How does mass affect uniform motion?
In ideal uniform motion, mass does not affect the motion itself. However, in practical situations, a larger mass requires a greater force to initiate or maintain uniform motion against resistive forces.
36. Can uniform motion occur in a vacuum?
Yes, uniform motion is easiest to achieve in a vacuum. Without air resistance or other external forces, an object can maintain constant velocity indefinitely, following Newton's First Law.
37. What is the relationship between uniform motion and conservation of energy?
In uniform motion, kinetic energy remains constant as velocity doesn't change. This aligns with the conservation of energy principle, as no work is done on or by the object in ideal uniform motion.
38. Can uniform motion occur in a gravitational field?
Uniform motion can occur in a gravitational field if the motion is perpendicular to the gravitational force. For example, an object moving horizontally at constant velocity in a uniform gravitational field.
39. What is the difference between uniform and uniformly accelerated motion?
Uniform motion has constant velocity (no acceleration), while uniformly accelerated motion has constant acceleration, resulting in changing velocity over time.
40. Can uniform motion occur on a curved surface?
True uniform motion cannot occur on a curved surface. Motion on a curve always involves acceleration, even if speed remains constant, due to the continuous change in direction.
41. Can an object in uniform motion have potential energy?
Yes, an object in uniform motion can have potential energy. For example, a satellite in uniform circular motion around Earth has gravitational potential energy due to its position in Earth's gravitational field.
42. What is the relationship between uniform motion and momentum?
In uniform motion, an object's momentum remains constant. Momentum is the product of mass and velocity, and since both remain unchanged in uniform motion, momentum is conserved.
43. How does the principle of relativity apply to uniform motion?
The principle of relativity states that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames. This means uniform motion cannot be distinguished from rest without reference to external objects.
44. What is the difference between uniform motion and steady-state motion?
Uniform motion is a type of steady-state motion where velocity is constant. Steady-state motion, more broadly, refers to any motion where the system's properties do not change over time, which may include some forms of non-uniform motion.
45. How does uniform motion relate to the concept of mechanical equilibrium?
An object in uniform motion is in mechanical equilibrium, as the net force acting on it is zero. This state of equilibrium allows the object to maintain its constant velocity.
46. Can uniform motion occur in a non-inertial reference frame?
From the perspective of an observer in a non-inertial frame, uniform motion can appear to occur. However, from an inertial reference frame, this motion would be seen as non-uniform due to the acceleration of the non-inertial frame.
47. What is the role of initial conditions in uniform motion?
Initial conditions (initial position and velocity) determine the specific uniform motion an object will undergo. Once established, these conditions persist unless external forces intervene.
48. How does the concept of uniform motion apply to waves?
In wave motion, uniform motion applies to the propagation of the wave front. The wave's phase velocity remains constant in a uniform medium, analogous to the constant velocity of an object in uniform motion.
49. Can uniform motion occur in a system with varying gravitational field strength?
Uniform motion can occur in a varying gravitational field if the motion is perpendicular to the field lines and other forces are absent. However, practical examples are rare due to the complexity of most gravitational fields.
50. How does uniform motion relate to the concept of reference frames in physics?
Uniform motion is defined relative to a specific reference frame. What appears as uniform motion in one frame may be non-uniform in another, highlighting the importance of specifying the frame of reference in motion analysis.

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