Uniform Motion

Uniform Motion

Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it.⁴
—Isaac Newton

Though motion is fundamental to the Reciprocal System of theory, the concept of uniform motion is often overlooked. Uniform motion simply means a constant velocity; the motion does not accelerate or decelerate, which applies to both scalar and coordinate motion. The most obvious example of uniform motion in the RS is the progression of the natural reference system at the speed of light—a scalar motion of 299,792,458 m/s, or 1.0 s/t (in Larson's natural units).

The forceless nature of uniform motion gives things permanence. The progression will never slow down and stop (as in astronomical “Big Crunch” theories) or speed up. The only motions that are permanent are the uniform motions.

Professor KVK Nehru in his paper, “The Law of Conservation of Direction,”⁵ points out that there are actually two forms of uniform motion: linear, the commonly recognized, straight-line motion that is used exclusively by Larson and angular, which is more commonly known as angular velocity. Any object exhibiting a uniform, angular motion will be observed as spinning, from the spin of electrons to the orbits of planets about the sun. This motion is also permanent when no “forces” are acting upon it.

The linear and angular aspects of uniform motion are independent motions, as they do not require any external forces or other motions to maintain their integrity, so they remain in their state of motion permanently.

4 University of Tennessee definition. Newton's first law is: “Corpus omne perseverare in statu suo quiescendi vel movendi uniformiter in directum, nisi quatenus a viribus impressis cogitur statum illum mutare.” (Every body persists in its state of being at rest or of moving uniformly straight forward, except insofar as it is compelled to change its state by force impressed.) Modern interpretation excludes the “straight forward” or “in a straight line” clause to account for gyroscopic motion, which would otherwise defy Newton's first law (uniform, angular velocity).

5 K.V.K. Nehru, “The Law of Conservation of Direction”, Reciprocity XVIII, № 3 (Autumn, 1989).