Motion is simply the act of an object changing its position over time.

What is Uniform Motion?

An object is in uniform motion when it travels equal distances in equal intervals of time. This means the speed of the object remains constant throughout its journey. For example, if a car travels 10 meters every 2 seconds consistently, it is moving with uniform motion. On a distance-time graph, uniform motion appears as a straight diagonal line. This shows that the rate of change of position is steady.

What is Non-Uniform Motion?

In non-uniform motion, an object covers unequal distances in equal intervals of time. In this case, the speed of the object changes constantly. Consider a person running in a crowded market; they run fast in an empty space but slow down when they see a crowd. Because their speed changes, their motion is non-uniform. This is also called accelerated motion, which occurs whenever an object speeds up or slows down.

Key Differences

• Uniform motion: Speed is constant, and acceleration is zero.
• Non-uniform motion: Speed changes, and acceleration is non-zero.
• Graph shape: Uniform motion is a straight line, while non-uniform motion is a curved line.

Real-World Examples

A clock's second hand moves with uniform motion because it ticks at a steady, unchanging speed. Conversely, a ball rolling down a bumpy hill exhibits non-uniform motion. As the ball rolls, gravity pulls it faster, causing it to cover more distance in every passing second. Understanding these two types of motion helps physicists predict where an object will be at any future moment.