What is non uniform motion?

2. Graph of Non uniform motion

1. A horse running

• In such motion, a body moves with a variable speed such as a horse running in a race.
• For Example, a horse running in a competitive race. The horse may start out running at 30 mph, then run 35 mph and by the end runs at 40 mph. This is an illustration of motion that is not uniform.
• If the horse would run at a speed of 35 mph throughout the race, then we can say that the horse would be in uniform motion.

2. Car Travelling in City traffic

3. Running of athletes in a marathon

• The motion of the athletes is not uniform as the speed of the athlete will change at each point.
• When athletes are running long distances, like in a marathon, they pace their run. In the first phase, they will run at a particular speed, and then, towards the end, they increase their speed. So we can see the speed is not constant throughout the race.

Ever wondered how physics helped athletes to run?

• The basic physics of running is pretty simple. A runner applies a force to the ground that is directed opposite the direction they are running. Then Newton’s third law kicks in, and the ground applies an equal and opposite reaction force on the running, causing their body to be propelled upward and forward.

4. A Plane while landing and taking off

• For the motion of an airplane, during each phase, such as taking off, flying, and landing, the plane covers different distances per unit of time in each phase. Hence, it is an example of motion that is not uniform.
• But that only happens when it is flying in the sky at the desired altitude and speed. It can be at the steady-state uniform motion. But when it is landing on a runway, there is the application of brakes and hence the speed is not uniform.

5. Driving a car in a hilly area

• When we travel in a car in a hilly area, there will be straight or elevated roads and sharp bends. The driver has to reduce the speed in sharp bends in order to reduce the radius of the turn. In some places, they give the roads a gentle slope in order to allow turning at high speeds.

• It is easier to climb along a winding road with a gentle slope than to climb a steep, straight road up a hill.

6. A batsman hitting a ball

• There may be hardly anyone who is not familiar with the game of cricket. Whenever a batsman hits the ball. The ball is at high velocity in the beginning. But as the ball falls down on the ground, it slows down.

• After a few moments, it comes to rest because of opposing forces of air resistance and frictional force on the ball opposing its motion.

• The velocity of the ball after hitting decreases. This change in velocity is not uniform.

• When the velocity of an object is not uniform, it is said to be in non uniform motion.
• Examples of motion that is not uniform are running horses, the movement of an airplane during takeoffs and landing, the collision of two vehicles, etc.