In physics...what is the difference between uniform acceleration and constant acceleration?

Question

I'm so confused in physics...any other advice?

Answer 1

Always racing? - constant acceleration.
Cop starts chasing you? - uniform acceleration.

Answer 2

Uniform acceleration occurs when the speed of an object changes at a constant rate. The acceleration is the same over time.
So, for example, an object speeds up by 5 m/s each second.

Constant acceleration and uniform acceleration mean the same thing.

Constant Acceleration

Sometimes an accelerating object will change its velocity by the same amount each second. If an object changes its velocity by 10 m/s in each consecutive second, it is known as a constant acceleration since the velocity is changing by the same amount each second. An object with a constant acceleration should not be confused with an object with a constant velocity. Don't be fooled! If an object is changing its velocity – whether by a constant amount or a varying amount – it is an accelerating object. An object with a constant velocity is not accelerating.

Answer 3

Constant acceleration would be like gravity, acc. = Force/mass where there is a fixed force and mass. Uniform acceleration would have a uniform force and/ or mass change over time that would create a linear time vs. acceleration plot.

I just said the same thing nyphdinmd said, but with a few more words.

However, I think Rick B (below) has a better answer.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, physicists say "uniform" to describe something that does not vary in SPACE (i.e., is the same from place to place); and they say "constant" to describe something that does not vary in TIME (i.e., is the same from one second to the next).

So, "uniform acceleration" would describe (for example) a region of space where all the acceleration vectors have the same length and direction. A common example would be the gravitational acceleration vectors in a small region around the surface of the earth.

And "constant acceleration" would describe the case where a certain object's acceleration vector stays the same over a certain period of time.

Answer 5

they're exactly the same
it means "a" doesn't change...or is constant/uniform

Answer 6

Constant means da/dt = 0. Uniform could mean da/dt = constant.