Inertial reference frame - Revision history

AK: Adding See also section

2012-10-08T20:27:35Z

Adding See also section

WesleyS: cat

2008-11-21T19:06:16Z

cat

RSchlafly: fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity

2008-09-28T19:16:14Z

fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity

RSchlafly: relativity statement not really correct

2008-09-28T15:03:45Z

relativity statement not really correct

Ungtss: New page: In physics, an '''inertial reference frame''' is a frame of reference in which the laws of physics take their simplest form, and the motion of objects can be explained without referenc...

2008-09-27T19:59:56Z

New page: In physics, an '''inertial reference frame''' is a frame of reference in which the laws of physics take their simplest form, and the motion of objects can be explained without referenc...

New page

In physics, an '''inertial reference frame''' is a [[frame of reference]] in which the laws of physics take their simplest form, and the motion of objects can be explained without reference to [[fictitious forces]].

For example, the relationship between the Earth and the sun can be described either in [[geocentric]] or [[heliocentric]] terms. In other words, one can describe the sun as revolving around the Earth or the Earth revolving around the sun, and both are equally mathematically valid. However, describing it in geocentric terms (with the sun revolving around the Earth) requires the introduction of fictitious forces to explain why the massive sun curves around the relatively tiny Earth. The heliocentric description, however, requires no such fictitious forces, and is therefore the ''inertial'' frame of reference. Thus, given the scientific principle of [[parsimony]], inertial reference frames are preferred.

It is important to note that [[Einstein]]'s theories of relativity apply only to ''inertial'' reference frames.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, October 8, 2012
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	According to the theory of [[relativity]], fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity. Inertial frames only make sense as local approximations, if masses are present.		According to the theory of [[relativity]], fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity. Inertial frames only make sense as local approximations, if masses are present.
		+	== See also ==
		+	*[[Lorentz transformation]]s
	[[Category:Physics]]		[[Category:Physics]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:06, November 21, 2008
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	According to the theory of [[relativity]], fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity. Inertial frames only make sense as local approximations, if masses are present.		According to the theory of [[relativity]], fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity. Inertial frames only make sense as local approximations, if masses are present.
		+	[[Category:Physics]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, September 28, 2008
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	For example, the relationship between the Earth and the sun can be described either in [[geocentric]] or [[heliocentric]] terms. In other words, one can describe the sun as revolving around the Earth or the Earth revolving around the sun, and both are equally mathematically valid. However, describing it in geocentric terms (with the sun revolving around the Earth) requires the introduction of fictitious forces to explain why the massive sun curves around the relatively tiny Earth. The heliocentric description, however, requires no such fictitious forces, and is therefore the ''inertial'' frame of reference. Thus, given the scientific principle of [[parsimony]], inertial reference frames are preferred.		For example, the relationship between the Earth and the sun can be described either in [[geocentric]] or [[heliocentric]] terms. In other words, one can describe the sun as revolving around the Earth or the Earth revolving around the sun, and both are equally mathematically valid. However, describing it in geocentric terms (with the sun revolving around the Earth) requires the introduction of fictitious forces to explain why the massive sun curves around the relatively tiny Earth. The heliocentric description, however, requires no such fictitious forces, and is therefore the ''inertial'' frame of reference. Thus, given the scientific principle of [[parsimony]], inertial reference frames are preferred.
		+
		+	According to the theory of [[relativity]], fictitious forces are indistinguishable from gravity. Inertial frames only make sense as local approximations, if masses are present.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, September 28, 2008
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	For example, the relationship between the Earth and the sun can be described either in [[geocentric]] or [[heliocentric]] terms. In other words, one can describe the sun as revolving around the Earth or the Earth revolving around the sun, and both are equally mathematically valid. However, describing it in geocentric terms (with the sun revolving around the Earth) requires the introduction of fictitious forces to explain why the massive sun curves around the relatively tiny Earth. The heliocentric description, however, requires no such fictitious forces, and is therefore the ''inertial'' frame of reference. Thus, given the scientific principle of [[parsimony]], inertial reference frames are preferred.		For example, the relationship between the Earth and the sun can be described either in [[geocentric]] or [[heliocentric]] terms. In other words, one can describe the sun as revolving around the Earth or the Earth revolving around the sun, and both are equally mathematically valid. However, describing it in geocentric terms (with the sun revolving around the Earth) requires the introduction of fictitious forces to explain why the massive sun curves around the relatively tiny Earth. The heliocentric description, however, requires no such fictitious forces, and is therefore the ''inertial'' frame of reference. Thus, given the scientific principle of [[parsimony]], inertial reference frames are preferred.
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−	~~It is important to note that [[Einstein]]'s theories of relativity apply only to ''inertial'' reference frames.~~