Difference between translation and uniform motion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distinction between translation and uniform motion, exploring their definitions and implications in the context of physics. Participants reference sources and examples to clarify their understanding of these concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that translational motion could be considered synonymous with uniform motion, questioning the differentiation made in sources like Wikipedia.
  • Others argue that translation is necessary to describe uniform motion, indicating that while they are related, they are not identical concepts.
  • A participant provides a technical explanation, distinguishing translation as a constant offset between coordinates and uniform motion as a time-varying offset, using examples involving observers in different frames of reference.
  • There is a repeated inquiry about why Wikipedia treats translation and uniform motion differently, indicating confusion or disagreement regarding the definitions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether translation and uniform motion are the same or distinct concepts. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing interpretations presented.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations in the discussion include potential misunderstandings of the definitions of translation and uniform motion, as well as the reliance on specific examples that may not encompass all scenarios.

Pushoam
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yes by the looks of it the basis of uniform motion was from his translational veiw of space and time and how a ball will go through uniform acceleration on a ramp.
 
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Zach S said:
yes by the looks of it the basis of uniform motion was from his translational veiw of spacd and tims and how a ball will go through uniform acceleration on a ramp.
Then, why does wikipedia treat translation and uniform motion differently?
 
Pushoam said:
Then, why does wikipedia treat translation and uniform motion differently?
translation is needed to describe uniform motion a movement through space and time not exactly the same but is needed to describe uniform motion
 
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o.k.
Thank you.
 
In the notation they are using, translation is the relationship between the coordinates used by me and the guy sat next to me. Uniform motion is the relationship between the coordinates used by me and someone sitting in a passing train.

In the first case, the difference between the coordinates is just a constant offset. If I say something is at ##x=-1## (i.e. 1m to my left), the other guy says it's at ##x'=-2## (i.e. 2m to his left). That is true for all times.

In the second case, the difference between the coordinates is a time-varying offset. If the train is moving at speed v past me, I say that the passenger is at ##x=vt## at time t. However the passenger regards herself as at rest at ##x''=0##, and me as moving at -v, so I am at ##x''=-vt##.

That's the difference. The first one leads to "the laws of physics are the same at all places" and the second to "the laws of physics are the same at all speeds".
 
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