Inertial and Non-Inertial Frame of Reference

What is meant by a frame of reference?

A frame of reference is a coordinate system or set of axes used to define the position, orientation, and motion of objects in space and time.

What are the two types of frames of reference?

The frame of reference is of two types:

• inertial frame of reference
• non-inertial frame of reference.

What is meant by an inertial frame of reference?

An inertial frame of reference is the type of frame where Newtonian laws are true. This implies that if no outside force is exerted on an object, it will continue to stay in uniform motion or state of rest.

What is meant by an non-inertial frame of reference?

A non-inertial frame of reference can be defined as a frame that is in the state of acceleration relative to the considered inertial reference frame. Newtonian laws are not followed in these reference frames.

Is Sun an inertial frame of reference?

The sun is an inertial frame of reference for the earth as with respect to the earth; the sun is not accelerating.

Is free fall an inertial frame?

Yes, free fall can be considered an inertial frame. In free fall, an object is falling under the influence of gravity alone, and in the absence of other forces (such as air resistance), it experiences uniform acceleration due to gravity.

Is non-inertial frame accelerated?

Yes, a non-inertial frame is accelerated.

Inertial and Non-Inertial Frame of Reference are two frames of reference based on the validity of Newton’s Laws of motion on them. Frames of reference play a fundamental role in physics, to the analyze object motion, investigation of forces and interactions, and understanding of relativity principles. They establish a standardized framework for describing physical phenomena and predicting the behavior of systems.

In this article, we will learn in detail about inertial and non-inertial frame of reference with a brief introduction of frame of reference.