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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Inertial and Uniformly Accelerated Frames

Inertial and Uniformly Accelerated Frames

This consists of all the points in 3D space at a specific instant in time to itself with a constant speed greater than the speed of light for all time in a specified inertial frame of reference.

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The ability of a body to remain stagnant or in a moving state until a peripheral force represents it is known as inertia. The inertial frame of reference takes this into account. Unless displaced by an external force, everyone maintains their rest or motion posture. As a result, an inertial frame of reference might be fixed. A still automobile or a bus moving at a steady speed are examples of inertial frames of reference.

The term “non-inertial frame of reference” can be defined as the speeding reference frame. In a non-inertial frame of reference, a body does not appear to obey the laws of inertia. In this case, Newton’s first law of motion is no longer applicable. The acceleration of a non-inertial frame is measured in terms of an inertial reference frame. When a car is going at a certain speed, it is said to be in a non-inertial frame of reference.

Frames of reference

We’ve talked about velocity, acceleration, and displacement. To measure all of the metrics mentioned earlier in an actual use case scenario, all of these figures, however, require a frame of reference against which they may be tested.

In physics, a frame of reference consists of an abstract coordinate system and a collection of physical reference points that later define the harmonised system and standardise measurements inside it.

Types of frames of references

Frames of reference can be divided into two categories. The following is a list of them:

Inertial frame of reference

The term “inertial frame of reference” can be defined as the frame of reference in which Newton’s law holds. That is, if no external force occurs on an object, it will remain at rest or move consistently. If we assume that a body is preserved on the earth’s surface, it is at rest for an earthling but in motion? What will be the earth’s inertial frame of reference?

A reference frame that is considered to represent the inertial frame of reference is referred to as an inertial frame. According to a larger definition, an inertial frame is at rest or moves at a constant velocity about our imagined inertial reference frame.

Non-inertial frame of reference

Talking about both inertial and non-inertial frames of reference, the latter moves quicker than the inertial frame of reference. Newton’s law will not apply in certain circumstances. As a result, if the earth is an inertial reference frame, the moon is a non-inertial reference frame because it moves faster than the earth. However, we’ll need to apply some weird forces called pseudo forces if we want Newton’s rule to hold here.

A frame of reference that is neither running nor moving at a persistent speed is referred to as an “inertial frame of reference.” On the other hand, a non-inertial frame always accelerates or goes on a cyclic path.

Because Newton’s equations hold in this frame when the spectator is in space, a frame linked to the earth is an inertial frame –

As the earth revolves around the sun, it can’t be an inertial frame.

An equally accelerated reference frame. A set of observers S is well-defined as a usual of viewers who remain stagnant about a single observer A who accelerates at a constant rate concerning the comoving inertial frames in real-time. The uniformly accelerated one-dimensional reference frame S is considered. A’s world lines, as well as those of the other observers who make up S, are determined. The transformation equations between multiple sets of coordinates useful for expressing events in S are carefully defined.

The speed and frequency of light waves are determined as a function of their position in S. In S, a free-motion particle is determined. Various phenomena in S are considered, including the asymmetric ageing of twins at rest in various places and the existence of horizons, which are normally linked with general relativity.

Conclusion

A frame of reference is a point of reference against which any measurement is made. The term “inertial frame” refers to a reference affected by inertia. The term “non-inertial frame” refers to a reference devoid of inertia. The term “inertial frame of reference” can be defined as the frame of reference that is not moving or stirring at a continual velocity. Contrary to the inertial frame of reference, a non-inertial frame of reference accelerates or travels in a circular path at a constant speed.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the IIT JEE Examination Preparation.

Is a rotating frame considered inertial?

Ans. Rotating reference frames are not inertial frames because it takes a net force to keep anything rotating (and thus change th...Read full

Why are rotating frames inertial?

Ans. According to general relativity theory, the curvature of spacetime leads frames to be locally inertial but globally non-iner...Read full

Is free-fall a frame of inertia?

Ans. Because a body in free fall does not satisfy Newton’s first rule, it is not inertial motion, yet it is still an inerti...Read full

Why is a revolving frame non-inertial?

Ans. A rotating frame of reference is an example of a non-inertial frame. As a result, a frictiona...Read full

Is it possible for a local inertial frame to be at rest?

Ans. According to the equivalence principle, a free-falling observer must witness free particles t...Read full

Ans. Rotating reference frames are not inertial frames because it takes a net force to keep anything rotating (and thus change the direction of the linear velocity).

Ans. According to general relativity theory, the curvature of spacetime leads frames to be locally inertial but globally non-inertial. There are no worldwide inertial reference frames in universal relativity.

Ans. Because a body in free fall does not satisfy Newton’s first rule, it is not inertial motion, yet it is still an inertial frame.

Ans. A rotating frame of reference is an example of a non-inertial frame. As a result, a frictional force acts on the particle in addition to the real force. If the total force acting on the particle equals the sum of the real and fictitious forces, the particle will move according to Newton’s second law of motion.

Ans. According to the equivalence principle, a free-falling observer must witness free particles travelling in straight lines over sufficiently short distances and times to be considered at rest about a local inertial frame.

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