Distinguish between uniform and non-uniform motion using the example of a car moving on a straight highway with no traffic and a car moving in city traffic.
Uniform motion occurs when an object moves along a straight line with a constant speed, covering equal distances in equal intervals of time.
A car moving on a straight highway with no traffic maintains a steady speed, covering equal distances every minute, which is an example of uniform linear motion.
Non-uniform motion occurs when the speed of an object moving along a straight line keeps changing, covering unequal distances in equal intervals of time.
A car moving in city traffic frequently stops at signals, slows down for pedestrians, and accelerates after signals, resulting in varying speeds and unequal distances covered in equal time intervals. This is an example of non-uniform linear motion.
In everyday life, non-uniform motion is more common as vehicles rarely maintain constant speed over long distances due to traffic, signals, and other factors.
Explanation
The chapter defines uniform linear motion as motion along a straight line with constant speed, where equal distances are covered in equal time intervals. Non-uniform linear motion is when speed keeps changing along a straight line, resulting in unequal distances in equal time intervals. The train example in Fig. 8.11 illustrates this: between stations B and C, the train moves at constant speed (uniform motion), while between A-B and C-D, it speeds up and slows down (non-uniform motion).
Solution Steps
Uniform motion: object moves along a straight line with constant speed, covering equal distances in equal time intervals
Example of uniform motion: car on highway with no traffic maintains steady speed, covering equal distances every minute
Non-uniform motion: speed keeps changing along a straight line, covering unequal distances in equal time intervals
Example of non-uniform motion: car in city traffic stops at signals, slows for pedestrians, and accelerates, resulting in varying speeds
Non-uniform motion is more common in everyday life due to traffic, signals, and other factors