What is the difference between uniform velocity and constant velocity? [on hold]Difference between uniform and constant accelerationVelocity and acceleration questionDoes GR imply a fundamental difference between gravitational and non-gravitational acceleration?In Uniform Circular Motion, why does the normal accelaration not increase the magnitude of velocity?Why normal acceleration doesn't bring a change in speed?Tangential Velocity - vs - Tangential SpeedWill the magnitude of velocity change in uniform circular motion?What would qualify as a deceleration rather than an acceleration if speed is unchanged?Difference between uniform and constant accelerationWhy is acceleration variable in uniform circular motion?Speed and tangential acceleration in pendulum motion
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What is the difference between uniform velocity and constant velocity? [on hold]
Difference between uniform and constant accelerationVelocity and acceleration questionDoes GR imply a fundamental difference between gravitational and non-gravitational acceleration?In Uniform Circular Motion, why does the normal accelaration not increase the magnitude of velocity?Why normal acceleration doesn't bring a change in speed?Tangential Velocity - vs - Tangential SpeedWill the magnitude of velocity change in uniform circular motion?What would qualify as a deceleration rather than an acceleration if speed is unchanged?Difference between uniform and constant accelerationWhy is acceleration variable in uniform circular motion?Speed and tangential acceleration in pendulum motion
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$begingroup$
I think that uniform velocity implies constant speed but not constant direction. while constant velocity implies constant speed without any changes in direction.
Both tell us that there's no acceleration (since magnitude of velocity is constant).
The same goes for acceleration: both imply constant magnitude, but only constant acceleration means that there's no change in its direction.
However, a lot of people on the Internet argue that whether it's the other way around or that there's no difference at all. Who's right and who's wrong?
kinematics acceleration terminology velocity speed
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
$endgroup$
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by knzhou, John Rennie, Dmitry Grigoryev, Jon Custer, Emilio Pisanty Jul 27 at 13:24
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think that uniform velocity implies constant speed but not constant direction. while constant velocity implies constant speed without any changes in direction.
Both tell us that there's no acceleration (since magnitude of velocity is constant).
The same goes for acceleration: both imply constant magnitude, but only constant acceleration means that there's no change in its direction.
However, a lot of people on the Internet argue that whether it's the other way around or that there's no difference at all. Who's right and who's wrong?
kinematics acceleration terminology velocity speed
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
$endgroup$
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by knzhou, John Rennie, Dmitry Grigoryev, Jon Custer, Emilio Pisanty Jul 27 at 13:24
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/413511/…
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 9:37
$begingroup$
but the most upvoted answer in this topic is wrong, no? J. Redman says that acceleration in circular motion is not uniform because it changes the direction, which is wrong by definition of uniform acceleration as the one with constant magnitude and non-constant direction
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 21 at 10:02
2
$begingroup$
Judging from the answers, this is one of those terminology questions where the answer is different in India. If you just care about passing a test, use whatever your book or teacher says. If you care about how physics actually works, then just don't worry about it, because these semantic discussions are basically pointless.
$endgroup$
– knzhou
Jul 21 at 21:53
$begingroup$
yes, I actually worry about how physics work, thanks everyone
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 22 at 14:44
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think that uniform velocity implies constant speed but not constant direction. while constant velocity implies constant speed without any changes in direction.
Both tell us that there's no acceleration (since magnitude of velocity is constant).
The same goes for acceleration: both imply constant magnitude, but only constant acceleration means that there's no change in its direction.
However, a lot of people on the Internet argue that whether it's the other way around or that there's no difference at all. Who's right and who's wrong?
kinematics acceleration terminology velocity speed
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I think that uniform velocity implies constant speed but not constant direction. while constant velocity implies constant speed without any changes in direction.
Both tell us that there's no acceleration (since magnitude of velocity is constant).
The same goes for acceleration: both imply constant magnitude, but only constant acceleration means that there's no change in its direction.
However, a lot of people on the Internet argue that whether it's the other way around or that there's no difference at all. Who's right and who's wrong?
kinematics acceleration terminology velocity speed
kinematics acceleration terminology velocity speed
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
edited Jul 21 at 21:55
knzhou
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
53.6k13 gold badges151 silver badges261 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
asked Jul 21 at 8:40
GOGAGOGA
213 bronze badges
213 bronze badges
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by knzhou, John Rennie, Dmitry Grigoryev, Jon Custer, Emilio Pisanty Jul 27 at 13:24
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by knzhou, John Rennie, Dmitry Grigoryev, Jon Custer, Emilio Pisanty Jul 27 at 13:24
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as primarily opinion-based by knzhou, John Rennie, Dmitry Grigoryev, Jon Custer, Emilio Pisanty Jul 27 at 13:24
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/413511/…
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 9:37
$begingroup$
but the most upvoted answer in this topic is wrong, no? J. Redman says that acceleration in circular motion is not uniform because it changes the direction, which is wrong by definition of uniform acceleration as the one with constant magnitude and non-constant direction
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 21 at 10:02
2
$begingroup$
Judging from the answers, this is one of those terminology questions where the answer is different in India. If you just care about passing a test, use whatever your book or teacher says. If you care about how physics actually works, then just don't worry about it, because these semantic discussions are basically pointless.
$endgroup$
– knzhou
Jul 21 at 21:53
$begingroup$
yes, I actually worry about how physics work, thanks everyone
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 22 at 14:44
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/413511/…
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 9:37
$begingroup$
but the most upvoted answer in this topic is wrong, no? J. Redman says that acceleration in circular motion is not uniform because it changes the direction, which is wrong by definition of uniform acceleration as the one with constant magnitude and non-constant direction
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 21 at 10:02
2
$begingroup$
Judging from the answers, this is one of those terminology questions where the answer is different in India. If you just care about passing a test, use whatever your book or teacher says. If you care about how physics actually works, then just don't worry about it, because these semantic discussions are basically pointless.
$endgroup$
– knzhou
Jul 21 at 21:53
$begingroup$
yes, I actually worry about how physics work, thanks everyone
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 22 at 14:44
$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/413511/…
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 9:37
$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/413511/…
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 9:37
$begingroup$
but the most upvoted answer in this topic is wrong, no? J. Redman says that acceleration in circular motion is not uniform because it changes the direction, which is wrong by definition of uniform acceleration as the one with constant magnitude and non-constant direction
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 21 at 10:02
$begingroup$
but the most upvoted answer in this topic is wrong, no? J. Redman says that acceleration in circular motion is not uniform because it changes the direction, which is wrong by definition of uniform acceleration as the one with constant magnitude and non-constant direction
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 21 at 10:02
2
2
$begingroup$
Judging from the answers, this is one of those terminology questions where the answer is different in India. If you just care about passing a test, use whatever your book or teacher says. If you care about how physics actually works, then just don't worry about it, because these semantic discussions are basically pointless.
$endgroup$
– knzhou
Jul 21 at 21:53
$begingroup$
Judging from the answers, this is one of those terminology questions where the answer is different in India. If you just care about passing a test, use whatever your book or teacher says. If you care about how physics actually works, then just don't worry about it, because these semantic discussions are basically pointless.
$endgroup$
– knzhou
Jul 21 at 21:53
$begingroup$
yes, I actually worry about how physics work, thanks everyone
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 22 at 14:44
$begingroup$
yes, I actually worry about how physics work, thanks everyone
$endgroup$
– GOGA
Jul 22 at 14:44
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I don't believe the distinction between "uniform" and "constant" in this context is important: I would use them interchangeably. I certainly have not encountered any serious technical usage of these terms in this context that relied on an implicit knowledge of any such difference. In general, I would take both "uniform velocity" and "constant velocity" to mean a velocity vector that is not changing in magnitude or direction. The same goes for acceleration. If this is not the case in a certain situation and the difference between "constant velocity" and "constant speed" is important, you can expect the meaning to be clear from the context, or stated explicitly.
As for your third sentence, a constant magnitude of velocity does not mean there is no acceleration. Any body rotating in a circle at constant speed has a non-zero (centripetal) acceleration.
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regardless of what you call it, in order for an object to not be accelerating both the magnitude of its velocity (speed) has to be constant AND its direction (path) needs to be in a straight line (aka rectilinear motion).
In order for the direction of an object to change it must experience a net force and thus an acceleration.
Take the simple case of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed. It experiences a centripetal acceleration of magnitude
$$a=frac v^2r$$
And a force of
$$F=mfrac v^2r$$
Hope this helps
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The word uniform means the "same in all cases". Therefore, constant and uniform are often used interchangeably. Just be careful about where and when the sentence is used. For instance, if I say a car is accelerating uniformly in the xx-direction, then it has a constant acceleration in that direction.
In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the velocity in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction. The word "uniform" in this case means it is travelling at a constant speed, and in such a case the magnitude of velocity is constant, but the direction changes.
Then, constant is with respect to time domain and uniform is said to be with respect to the space domain.
Now, consider a metallic cube. Now we say that mass is uniform if the mass per unit volume is same everywhere.
Then, what is constant?
Consider the same example. Now we say that the mass is constant if the mass of the whole cube does not change with respect to time.
P.S.: I went through J. Redman's answer and interpreted it in a lucid way. That is why the first two paragraphs of this answer resemble J. Redman's answer.
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
$endgroup$
– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
$begingroup$
You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
$begingroup$
@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
$endgroup$
– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
$begingroup$
Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
$endgroup$
– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
1
$begingroup$
@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
Constant and uniform velocity mean the same thing, which is covering equal distances in equal intervals of time WITHOUT changing direction. Direction cannot be changed as velocity is a vector.
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
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$begingroup$
velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
$endgroup$
– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I believe in mathematics.
Uniform velocity:-
$$lvertfracdvecsdtrvert=constant$$
Constant velocity:-
$$veca_net=0$$
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
$begingroup$
@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
$endgroup$
– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
$begingroup$
Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
I don't believe the distinction between "uniform" and "constant" in this context is important: I would use them interchangeably. I certainly have not encountered any serious technical usage of these terms in this context that relied on an implicit knowledge of any such difference. In general, I would take both "uniform velocity" and "constant velocity" to mean a velocity vector that is not changing in magnitude or direction. The same goes for acceleration. If this is not the case in a certain situation and the difference between "constant velocity" and "constant speed" is important, you can expect the meaning to be clear from the context, or stated explicitly.
As for your third sentence, a constant magnitude of velocity does not mean there is no acceleration. Any body rotating in a circle at constant speed has a non-zero (centripetal) acceleration.
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I don't believe the distinction between "uniform" and "constant" in this context is important: I would use them interchangeably. I certainly have not encountered any serious technical usage of these terms in this context that relied on an implicit knowledge of any such difference. In general, I would take both "uniform velocity" and "constant velocity" to mean a velocity vector that is not changing in magnitude or direction. The same goes for acceleration. If this is not the case in a certain situation and the difference between "constant velocity" and "constant speed" is important, you can expect the meaning to be clear from the context, or stated explicitly.
As for your third sentence, a constant magnitude of velocity does not mean there is no acceleration. Any body rotating in a circle at constant speed has a non-zero (centripetal) acceleration.
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I don't believe the distinction between "uniform" and "constant" in this context is important: I would use them interchangeably. I certainly have not encountered any serious technical usage of these terms in this context that relied on an implicit knowledge of any such difference. In general, I would take both "uniform velocity" and "constant velocity" to mean a velocity vector that is not changing in magnitude or direction. The same goes for acceleration. If this is not the case in a certain situation and the difference between "constant velocity" and "constant speed" is important, you can expect the meaning to be clear from the context, or stated explicitly.
As for your third sentence, a constant magnitude of velocity does not mean there is no acceleration. Any body rotating in a circle at constant speed has a non-zero (centripetal) acceleration.
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I don't believe the distinction between "uniform" and "constant" in this context is important: I would use them interchangeably. I certainly have not encountered any serious technical usage of these terms in this context that relied on an implicit knowledge of any such difference. In general, I would take both "uniform velocity" and "constant velocity" to mean a velocity vector that is not changing in magnitude or direction. The same goes for acceleration. If this is not the case in a certain situation and the difference between "constant velocity" and "constant speed" is important, you can expect the meaning to be clear from the context, or stated explicitly.
As for your third sentence, a constant magnitude of velocity does not mean there is no acceleration. Any body rotating in a circle at constant speed has a non-zero (centripetal) acceleration.
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:07
PukPuk
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
1,0411 silver badge9 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regardless of what you call it, in order for an object to not be accelerating both the magnitude of its velocity (speed) has to be constant AND its direction (path) needs to be in a straight line (aka rectilinear motion).
In order for the direction of an object to change it must experience a net force and thus an acceleration.
Take the simple case of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed. It experiences a centripetal acceleration of magnitude
$$a=frac v^2r$$
And a force of
$$F=mfrac v^2r$$
Hope this helps
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regardless of what you call it, in order for an object to not be accelerating both the magnitude of its velocity (speed) has to be constant AND its direction (path) needs to be in a straight line (aka rectilinear motion).
In order for the direction of an object to change it must experience a net force and thus an acceleration.
Take the simple case of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed. It experiences a centripetal acceleration of magnitude
$$a=frac v^2r$$
And a force of
$$F=mfrac v^2r$$
Hope this helps
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Regardless of what you call it, in order for an object to not be accelerating both the magnitude of its velocity (speed) has to be constant AND its direction (path) needs to be in a straight line (aka rectilinear motion).
In order for the direction of an object to change it must experience a net force and thus an acceleration.
Take the simple case of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed. It experiences a centripetal acceleration of magnitude
$$a=frac v^2r$$
And a force of
$$F=mfrac v^2r$$
Hope this helps
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Regardless of what you call it, in order for an object to not be accelerating both the magnitude of its velocity (speed) has to be constant AND its direction (path) needs to be in a straight line (aka rectilinear motion).
In order for the direction of an object to change it must experience a net force and thus an acceleration.
Take the simple case of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed. It experiences a centripetal acceleration of magnitude
$$a=frac v^2r$$
And a force of
$$F=mfrac v^2r$$
Hope this helps
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
edited Jul 21 at 13:25
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:28
Bob DBob D
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
11.1k3 gold badges10 silver badges35 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The word uniform means the "same in all cases". Therefore, constant and uniform are often used interchangeably. Just be careful about where and when the sentence is used. For instance, if I say a car is accelerating uniformly in the xx-direction, then it has a constant acceleration in that direction.
In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the velocity in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction. The word "uniform" in this case means it is travelling at a constant speed, and in such a case the magnitude of velocity is constant, but the direction changes.
Then, constant is with respect to time domain and uniform is said to be with respect to the space domain.
Now, consider a metallic cube. Now we say that mass is uniform if the mass per unit volume is same everywhere.
Then, what is constant?
Consider the same example. Now we say that the mass is constant if the mass of the whole cube does not change with respect to time.
P.S.: I went through J. Redman's answer and interpreted it in a lucid way. That is why the first two paragraphs of this answer resemble J. Redman's answer.
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
$endgroup$
– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
$begingroup$
You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
$begingroup$
@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
$endgroup$
– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
$begingroup$
Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
$endgroup$
– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
1
$begingroup$
@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
The word uniform means the "same in all cases". Therefore, constant and uniform are often used interchangeably. Just be careful about where and when the sentence is used. For instance, if I say a car is accelerating uniformly in the xx-direction, then it has a constant acceleration in that direction.
In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the velocity in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction. The word "uniform" in this case means it is travelling at a constant speed, and in such a case the magnitude of velocity is constant, but the direction changes.
Then, constant is with respect to time domain and uniform is said to be with respect to the space domain.
Now, consider a metallic cube. Now we say that mass is uniform if the mass per unit volume is same everywhere.
Then, what is constant?
Consider the same example. Now we say that the mass is constant if the mass of the whole cube does not change with respect to time.
P.S.: I went through J. Redman's answer and interpreted it in a lucid way. That is why the first two paragraphs of this answer resemble J. Redman's answer.
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
$endgroup$
– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
$begingroup$
You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
$endgroup$
– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
$begingroup$
@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
$endgroup$
– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
$begingroup$
Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
$endgroup$
– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
1
$begingroup$
@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
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The word uniform means the "same in all cases". Therefore, constant and uniform are often used interchangeably. Just be careful about where and when the sentence is used. For instance, if I say a car is accelerating uniformly in the xx-direction, then it has a constant acceleration in that direction.
In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the velocity in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction. The word "uniform" in this case means it is travelling at a constant speed, and in such a case the magnitude of velocity is constant, but the direction changes.
Then, constant is with respect to time domain and uniform is said to be with respect to the space domain.
Now, consider a metallic cube. Now we say that mass is uniform if the mass per unit volume is same everywhere.
Then, what is constant?
Consider the same example. Now we say that the mass is constant if the mass of the whole cube does not change with respect to time.
P.S.: I went through J. Redman's answer and interpreted it in a lucid way. That is why the first two paragraphs of this answer resemble J. Redman's answer.
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
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The word uniform means the "same in all cases". Therefore, constant and uniform are often used interchangeably. Just be careful about where and when the sentence is used. For instance, if I say a car is accelerating uniformly in the xx-direction, then it has a constant acceleration in that direction.
In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the velocity in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction. The word "uniform" in this case means it is travelling at a constant speed, and in such a case the magnitude of velocity is constant, but the direction changes.
Then, constant is with respect to time domain and uniform is said to be with respect to the space domain.
Now, consider a metallic cube. Now we say that mass is uniform if the mass per unit volume is same everywhere.
Then, what is constant?
Consider the same example. Now we say that the mass is constant if the mass of the whole cube does not change with respect to time.
P.S.: I went through J. Redman's answer and interpreted it in a lucid way. That is why the first two paragraphs of this answer resemble J. Redman's answer.
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
edited Jul 22 at 3:19
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:09
Shishir MaharanaShishir Maharana
31112 bronze badges
31112 bronze badges
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This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
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You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
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– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
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@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
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Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
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@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
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– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
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show 2 more comments
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This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
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You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
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– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
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@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
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Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
1
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@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
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– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
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This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
$begingroup$
This is the deeper technical difference most people fail to notice. Many people use these terms interchangeably, partly because the strict use of these terms isn't very well documented
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 21 at 10:13
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You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
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– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
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You should edit your answer to make it clear that you took the first two paragraphs from this answer.
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– Puk
Jul 21 at 10:36
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@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
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@ShishirMaharana The statement "In the case of a car moving around a circle with a constant speed, then we have uniform circular motion, but the acceleration in this case is not uniform, it is changing direction" is not correct. It is the velocity that is changing not the acceleration. An object moving at constant speed $v$ in a circular motion of radius $r$ experiences a constant centripetal acceleration of $$a=fracv^2r$$
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 17:42
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Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
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Thanks for the suggestion, @BobD, I corrected it. 😊
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– Shishir Maharana
Jul 22 at 8:14
1
1
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@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
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– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
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@BobD Both the velocity and acceleration have constant magnitude but changing direction. If the acceleration were constant, the object would be moving in a parabola, not a circle.
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– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:40
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Constant and uniform velocity mean the same thing, which is covering equal distances in equal intervals of time WITHOUT changing direction. Direction cannot be changed as velocity is a vector.
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
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velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
add a comment |
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Constant and uniform velocity mean the same thing, which is covering equal distances in equal intervals of time WITHOUT changing direction. Direction cannot be changed as velocity is a vector.
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
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velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Constant and uniform velocity mean the same thing, which is covering equal distances in equal intervals of time WITHOUT changing direction. Direction cannot be changed as velocity is a vector.
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Constant and uniform velocity mean the same thing, which is covering equal distances in equal intervals of time WITHOUT changing direction. Direction cannot be changed as velocity is a vector.
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 10:34
Mehul JainMehul Jain
112 bronze badges
112 bronze badges
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velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
add a comment |
$begingroup$
velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
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velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
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velocity is a vector regardless of whether or not its direction is changing.
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– Bob D
Jul 21 at 15:35
add a comment |
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I believe in mathematics.
Uniform velocity:-
$$lvertfracdvecsdtrvert=constant$$
Constant velocity:-
$$veca_net=0$$
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
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1
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So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
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– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
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@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
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– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
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Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
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– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I believe in mathematics.
Uniform velocity:-
$$lvertfracdvecsdtrvert=constant$$
Constant velocity:-
$$veca_net=0$$
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
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@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
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– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
$begingroup$
Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I believe in mathematics.
Uniform velocity:-
$$lvertfracdvecsdtrvert=constant$$
Constant velocity:-
$$veca_net=0$$
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I believe in mathematics.
Uniform velocity:-
$$lvertfracdvecsdtrvert=constant$$
Constant velocity:-
$$veca_net=0$$
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
edited Jul 21 at 11:29
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
answered Jul 21 at 11:24
UniqueUnique
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
9111 gold badge5 silver badges20 bronze badges
1
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So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
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@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
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– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
$begingroup$
Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
$begingroup$
@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
$endgroup$
– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
$begingroup$
Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
1
1
$begingroup$
So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
$begingroup$
So every time I ride my bicycle, I travel at constant velocity, since I start stationary and end stationary, which means that my net acceleration is zero?
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 22 at 11:42
$begingroup$
@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
$endgroup$
– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
$begingroup$
@David Richerby I think you misunderstood the concepts of secants and tangents or in physics,average velocity and instantaneous velocity as well as the one who has upvoted your comment and downvoted my answer.
$endgroup$
– Unique
Jul 23 at 14:25
$begingroup$
Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
$begingroup$
Perhaps you'd like to add some explanation instead of claiming that everybody has misunderstood you.
$endgroup$
– David Richerby
Jul 23 at 14:59
add a comment |
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Possible duplicate of physics.stackexchange.com/questions/413511/…
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– Puk
Jul 21 at 9:37
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but the most upvoted answer in this topic is wrong, no? J. Redman says that acceleration in circular motion is not uniform because it changes the direction, which is wrong by definition of uniform acceleration as the one with constant magnitude and non-constant direction
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– GOGA
Jul 21 at 10:02
2
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Judging from the answers, this is one of those terminology questions where the answer is different in India. If you just care about passing a test, use whatever your book or teacher says. If you care about how physics actually works, then just don't worry about it, because these semantic discussions are basically pointless.
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– knzhou
Jul 21 at 21:53
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yes, I actually worry about how physics work, thanks everyone
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– GOGA
Jul 22 at 14:44