What's the difference between uniform and non-uniform motion?

Uniform motion refers to movement at a constant speed in a straight line, while non-uniform motion involves changing speed or direction.

In physics, the concept of motion is fundamental and it's categorised into two types: uniform and non-uniform. Uniform motion is when an object moves in a straight line at a constant speed. This means that the object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time, regardless of the duration of the time. For example, if a car is moving at a steady speed of 60 km/h, it's in uniform motion because it covers 60 km every hour without any changes in speed or direction.

On the other hand, non-uniform motion refers to any movement where either the speed or the direction (or both) of the object changes over time. This means the object does not cover equal distances in equal intervals of time. For instance, if a car accelerates from a standstill to 60 km/h, or if it's moving in a circular path, it's in non-uniform motion. The speed of the car is not constant in the first case, and the direction is not constant in the second case.

In summary, the key difference between uniform and non-uniform motion lies in the constancy of speed and direction. In uniform motion, both remain constant, while in non-uniform motion, either or both can change. Understanding these concepts is crucial in physics as it helps us to analyse and predict the behaviour of moving objects in various situations.