Velocity time graph for uniform motion with example

1. Draw Velocity time graph for uniform motion

Velocity time graph for uniform motion

Velocity-time graph shows us how the velocity changes with respect to time. The slope of a velocity-time graph determines its acceleration.

• Velocity-time graph for uniform motion gives a graph of zero acceleration. Because velocity is constant in uniform motion. Hence, if there is no velocity change, there will be zero acceleration. If the acceleration is zero, then the velocity-time graph is a horizontal line (i.e., the slope is zero)
• The velocity-time graph for uniform motion shows us that the velocity is constant at a particular time interval.

• With the help of a velocity-time graph of uniform motion, we can calculate the displacement of an object at a particular time interval. (calculated below)
• In the velocity-time graph, the graph area under the curve with the time axis always gives the knowledge of displacement traveled by that object.

2. Uses of Velocity time Graph for uniform motion with example

The velocity-time graph of a moving object helps us to calculate the displacement of the object in a given time interval geometrically under a curve. 

• The above graphs show that the slope of a Velocity–time graph of an object moving in rectilinear motion with uniform velocity is a straight line and parallel to the x-axis when velocity is taken along the y-axis and we took time along the x-axis.
• Velocity – Y-Axis
  Time took – X-Axis
  

Let us find out displacement for a body moving in uniform motion in a uniform velocity with zero acceleration.

To find displacement or area under the curve (ref above diagram)

Let’s draw two points C and D on the slope of the graph. Draw two lines parallel to the y-axis (C C1) from point A, and (D D1) from point B. We know that, Uniform Velocity = Displacement/time ………(1) From (1), we can rewrite displacement as Displacement = Uniform velocity * time interval……..(2)   Uniform velocity (V) = (C C1) = (OA) ……..(3) (shows a straight line parallel to the time axis)  To calculate the Time interval Consider (O C1) = T1 ……..(4) (O D1) = T2 ……..(5) The time interval for which we have to calculate the required displacement is (C1 D1) = (O D1) – (O C1) Also can be written as. Time interval (C1 D1) = (T2 – T1) ………(6) (Substituting (4) & (5)) Substituting (3) &  (6) in (2) Displacement = (OA) * (T2- T1) Displacement = (V) * (T2-T1) (Using (1)) To Find Area under the Curve Displacement = (C C1) * (C1 D1) ( Using (1) & (6)) OR Area = L * B (area of rectangle = Length(l) * Breadth(b))

Recommended Read: What is uniform motion? Definition, Graph & Examples

What is uniform motion?

3. Some Examples Related to Uniform Motion

1. ROTATION OF EARTH AROUND ITS AXIS

The first one in my list of 11 uniform motion examples in real life is the earth’s rotation around its axis. If you are wondering how? then, let me tell you how.

• The rotation of the earth is Uniform Motion as it keeps happening over a period of time at a constant speed in a continuous process.
• The Earth’s axis runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. It takes the Earth 24 hours (Actual: 23 hours, 56 minutes), or one day, to make one complete rotation around this invisible line. As the Earth rotates, each area of its surface gets a turn to face and be warmed by the sun.

2. Revolution/ orbital motion of Earth around the sun

• Earth revolves in orbit around the sun for 365 days, 6 hours, and 9 minutes with reference to the stars, at a speed ranging from 29.29 to 30.29 km/s. The 6 hours, and 9 minutes add up to about an extra day every fourth year, which is designated a leap year, with the extra day added as February 29th.
• The Earth travels in an elliptical orbit around the sun. It travels at roughly 67,000 miles per hour (or 18.5 miles a second), on this path.
• This speed of the earth’s orbital motion or to make one revolution always remains constant. As a result, the Earth travels equal distances in fixed intervals of time. It does not happen that the Earth revolves around the sun in 100 days one time and then in 365 days the next time around. Here the earth covers equal distance in equal intervals of time.

3. Movements of hands of a clock

• The distance traveled by the hands of a clock is fixed in fixed intervals of time. This means, that when an hour hand moves one unit distance, we say one hour has passed. When a second’s hand moves one unit we say 5 seconds have passed.
• Since this movement is uniform we are able to find the time. What if it moved one unit in 5 seconds and the other in 1 second, then we would never be able to guess time.

4. An airplane cruising at a steady speed

• Similar to the car on a long drive, an airplane in the sky can easily travel at a uniform speed. An aircraft at a steady speed travels at a uniform speed, which means it travels equal distances in fixed intervals of time.
• Certain factors like turbulence, turning, landing, etc may cause some deviation in speeds which is non-uniform. But, in constant speed conditions while cruising we can consider it to be an example of uniform motion.
• When a plane takes off, it starts from zero. But when it is flying in the sky at the desired altitude and speed, this is the time when it can fly at a steady-state uniform motion.
• Also while landing, it will again go back to its non-uniform speed.

Recommended Read: 11 Uniform Motion Examples In Real Life

11 uniform motion examples in real life

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