Question

What is the nature of the distance-time graphs for uniform and non-uniform motion of an object moving in a straight line?

• A. Uniform - straight line, Non-uniform - straight line
• B. Uniform - straight line, Non-uniform - curved
• C. Uniform - curved, Non-uniform - Straight line
• D. Uniform - curved, Non-uniform - curved

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Uniform - straight line, Non-uniform - curved

Distance-Time Graph for Uniform Motion:

1. When a body travels the same distance in equal time intervals, it is said to be in uniform motion.
2. Consider a $1\mathrm{second}$ time interval. If a body moves $10\mathrm{meters}$ in the first $1\mathrm{second}$, it should move $10\mathrm{meters}$ every second after that, indicating that the body is in uniform motion.
3. Because equal distances are covered in equal units of time, the distance-time graph would be a straight line, just like in uniform motion.

Let's make a graph to represent uniform motion.

Distance-Time Graph for Non-uniform Motion:

1. Non-uniform motion is defined as the movement of an object in which the speed varies and the object does not cover the same distance in equal time intervals, regardless of the time interval duration.
2. Because speed varies, the distance-time graph for non-uniform motion is not a straight line; instead, it can be a curve or a zigzag line.

Hence, Option(B) is correct.