- #1
eprparadox
- 138
- 2
Homework Statement
An example of an inertial reference frame is:
A. any reference frame that is not accelerating
B. a frame attached to a particle on which there are no forces
C. any reference frame that is at rest
D. a reference frame attached to the center of the universe
E. a reference frame attached to Earth
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
This isn't really a homework problem because the answer is given to me as B. I guess that makes sense. If there are no forces on an object, then it will move with constant velocity and thus, must be an inertial reference frame.
But I'm not clear as to why the answer can't be A or C. Is it because the idea of a frame of reference is relative and the ideas of "at rest" and "not accelerating" aren't defined within a given frame of reference?
I think I'm confused on this whole idea of inertial reference frames. If anyone has some insight that can help me, that would be great. Thanks a lot.