Introduction to Non-

uniform Motion
LECTURER
Dr. Edwin Nyirenda and Mr Keith Nsofwa
Non-uniform Motion

 Non-uniform motion occurs when an object changes its speed or

direction of motion over time.
 Unlike uniform motion, where velocity is constant, non-uniform
motion involves acceleration or deceleration, showcasing varied
velocities at different points in time
Forces Affecting Non-uniform Motion
 Frictional Forces : these are forces that act opposite to the direction of
motion, affecting objects sliding or rolling over surfaces. These forces are
crucial in bringing objects to a halt and can vary based on surface materials
and the weight of the object.
 Viscous/Drag Forces: These forces occur when objects move through fluids
(liquids or gases). The resistance experienced by the object is due to the
fluid's viscosity, significantly influencing the object's speed and acceleration.
For instance, an object moving through water faces more resistance than one
moving through air.
 Gravity: Gravity exerts a constant force on objects, pulling them towards the
center of the Earth or any other celestial body. This force is a key player in
non-uniform motion, especially in free-fall situations where it acts to accelerate
objects downwards, potentially modified by air resistance or drag forces.
Understanding Frictional Forces

 Frictional forces are the resistive forces that occur when two
surfaces interact, opposing the motion or attempted motion
between the surfaces.
 These forces can work to either completely prevent motion (static
friction) or resist the motion of objects sliding or rolling over each
other (kinetic friction).
 Types of Friction

 Static Friction: The force that must be

overcome to start moving an object at rest. It
acts in the opposite direction of the applied
force and is typically larger than the frictional
force experienced when the object is in motion.
 Kinetic Friction: The resistive force that acts
against the motion of an object sliding over a
surface. It's generally less than static friction,
allowing objects to move once they have
started.
Factors Affecting Friction

 Surface Texture: Rough surfaces create more

resistance, increasing friction, whereas smooth
surfaces reduce frictional force.
 Normal Force: The perpendicular force exerted
by a surface on an object resting on it. Heavier
objects or those pressed harder against a surface
experience more friction due to the increased
normal force.
Viscous/Drag Forces and Air Resistance
 Viscous forces are the resistive forces experienced
by objects moving through a fluid (either liquid or
gas).
 These forces depend on the fluid's viscosity (a
measure of its resistance to deformation) and the
velocity of the object. The higher the fluid's viscosity
or the faster the object moves, the greater the
viscous forces exerted on the object.

 Drag forces, or air resistance, are a specific type of

viscous force that acts against objects moving
through air.
 The amount of drag force experienced by an object
depends on its shape, its speed, and the density of
the air. Streamlined shapes are designed to reduce
drag and allow for smoother motion through the air
Relation to Object Shape and Speed
 Objects with a flat or irregular shape face more air resistance
because they displace more air when moving.
 Conversely, streamlined shapes like those of birds, airplanes, or
certain cars are designed to minimize air resistance, enhancing
speed and efficiency.
 The faster an object moves, the more air it displaces in a given
time, leading to higher air resistance.
 This relationship means that reducing drag is crucial for high-
speed vehicles to improve performance and reduce fuel
consumption
Real-world Examples

 Parachuting: The parachute's wide, flat shape

creates significant air resistance, slowing the
descent of a person or object. This demonstrates
how air resistance can be utilized to control
speed.
 Vehicle Aerodynamics: The design of cars,
bicycles, and airplanes focuses on reducing drag
to increase speed and fuel efficiency.
Aerodynamic shapes are streamlined to cut
through the air more smoothly
Motion in a Uniform Gravitational Field

 Gravity is a force that attracts objects toward the center of the

Earth, affecting all objects regardless of their mass.
 In a uniform gravitational field, gravity provides a constant
acceleration to all objects, theoretically causing them to fall at
the same rate regardless of their mass.
 While gravity acts to accelerate objects downwards, air
resistance acts in the opposite direction, opposing this
acceleration.
 The effect of air resistance on a falling object depends on the
object's shape, size, and speed. As an object falls faster, the
air resistance increases until it balances the gravitational force,
reaching a terminal velocity where the object falls at a constant
speed
Practical example
 A Feather vs. a Hammer Dropped in Vacuum vs. Air
In a vacuum, where air resistance is absent, a feather and a hammer would fall at
the same rate, demonstrating gravity's uniform effect. However, in the presence of
air, the feather falls much slower than the hammer due to greater air resistance
encountered by the feather's shape and surface area, illustrating how air resistance
modifies the path and speed of falling objects
 Air Resistance and Velocity

 Air resistance, a type of drag force, increases as the velocity of a moving object
increases. This relationship is due to the fact that faster-moving objects displace more
air molecules in a shorter amount of time, leading to greater opposition to their
motion.
 Initially, as an object begins to fall, it accelerates due to gravity, causing its velocity to
increase. As velocity increases, so does the air resistance acting against it, in a non-
linear fashion.
 This means that the faster you go, the disproportionately larger the air resistance
becomes, creating a more significant impediment to further acceleration
Terminal Velocity

 Terminal velocity is reached when the upward

force of air resistance equals the downward
force of gravity, causing the net force on the
object to be zero.
 At this point, the object stops accelerating and
continues to fall at a constant velocity. Terminal
velocity depends on several factors, including
the mass of the falling object, its surface area,
and the density of the fluid through which it is
moving.
Terminal Velocity cont.

 Terminal velocity is a constant speed achieved by a falling object when

the drag force (air resistance) acting on it is equal and opposite to the
force of gravity, resulting in a net force of zero. At this point, the object
no longer accelerates and continues to fall at a steady speed. This
concept is crucial in understanding how objects move through fluids (air
or liquid).

 For an object to reach terminal velocity, two main conditions must be

met:
1. Balance of Forces: The upward drag force must exactly balance the
downward gravitational force. This balance of forces means that the
total net force acting on the object is zero.
2. Steady Speed: The object must have achieved a speed where its
acceleration due to gravity is countered by the deceleration caused by
air resistance, leading to a steady falling speed
Real-life Implications and Examples
 Skydivers: Before opening their parachute,
skydivers experience terminal velocity, allowing
them to fall at a constant speed. This speed can
vary depending on their body orientation, which
changes their cross-sectional area and,
consequently, the drag force they experience.
 Raindrops: Raindrops reach terminal velocity as
they fall, which prevents them from hitting the
ground at extreme speeds. The size of the
raindrop plays a significant role in determining its
terminal velocity, with larger drops falling faster
due to the increased force of gravity overcoming
air resistance more effectively.
Conclusion and Recap
 Frictional Forces: These are resistive forces that act
opposite to the direction of motion, occurring when two
surfaces interact. We discussed static, sliding, and rolling
friction, emphasizing their dependence on surface texture
and normal force.
 Viscous/Drag Forces: These forces resist the motion of
objects through fluids, including both liquids and gases. Air
resistance, a type of drag force, increases with the object's
velocity and depends on its shape and the fluid's density.
 Motion in a Gravitational Field: Gravity pulls objects
toward Earth at a constant acceleration, but air resistance
modifies this motion, affecting the speed and path of falling
objects.
Review and questions