Describes something that does not change or distribute evenly or consistently across a given area, quantity, or timeframe. It implies a lack of regularity or homogeneity in the distribution, occurrence, or intensity of a characteristic or phenomenon. This can apply to physical properties, data sets, processes, or any scenario where uniformity is expected, but deviations are observed. The deviations may be random, patterned, or influenced by external factors, leading to varying results across different parts of the system or observed values. Non-uniformity is often a key concept in fields like physics, statistics, and engineering.
Non-uniformly meaning with examples
- The distribution of rainfall across the region was observed to be non-uniformly distributed. Some areas received heavy downpours, resulting in flooding, while neighboring regions experienced only light showers, causing significant irrigation difficulties. This meant farmers had variable yields. This demonstrates the complexity in predicting weather patterns and their regional impacts. This illustrates the challenge in anticipating the consequences of climate change.
- The intensity of the magnetic field within the MRI scanner fluctuated non-uniformly. This caused some regions of the scan to appear sharper and more detailed, while others suffered from distortion and reduced clarity. This non-uniformity required careful calibration and image processing to produce a usable diagnostic result. The engineers had to implement additional techniques to mitigate this effect for clear imaging.
- The traffic flow across the city during rush hour developed non-uniformly. Some roads experienced complete gridlock, while parallel routes remained relatively clear, which meant commuters needed different routes. This created unpredictable journey times and exacerbated congestion in the affected areas. This highlights the importance of traffic management strategies.
- The concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere varied non-uniformly. Near industrial zones, levels of harmful substances were significantly higher than in remote areas. This led to uneven exposure risks and public health consequences that affected particular populations. Environmental regulations were needed to deal with this disparity, and that created a whole new set of challenges.