Understanding Inertial and Non-Inertial Reference Frames

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The discussion centers on whether a train car can be classified as an inertial or non-inertial reference frame based on the behavior of a load hanging from the ceiling. Participants debate that if the load is at a constant angle and not swinging, it suggests the presence of forces acting on it, indicating the train is a non-inertial reference frame. The possibility of the train moving in a circular path, which would cause centripetal acceleration, is also considered. There is confusion regarding the mention of a 45-degree angle, which is not explicitly stated in the problem but is inferred in the discussion. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the train being a non-inertial frame due to the forces acting on the load.
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You are conducting an experiment inside a train car that may move along level rail tracks. A load is hung from the ceiling on a string. The load is not swinging, and the string is observed to make a constant angle of with the horizontal. No other forces are acting on the load. Which of the following statements are correct?

1./train is an inertial reference frame
2./train is not an inertial reference frame
3./train may be instantaneously at rest
4./The train may be moving at a constant speed in a straight line.
5./ The train may be moving at a constant speed in a circle.
6./The train must be speeding up.
7./The train must be slowing down.
8./The train must be accelerating


I'm thinking 2./ and 8./ as the angle of 45 degrees indicates a force acting on the load, thus meaning that the train is not an inertial reference frame, but I'm not totally shore if I am on the right track??
 
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Bostonpancake0 said:
You are conducting an experiment inside a train car that may move along level rail tracks. A load is hung from the ceiling on a string. The load is not swinging, and the string is observed to make a constant angle of with the horizontal. No other forces are acting on the load. Which of the following statements are correct?

1./train is an inertial reference frame
2./train is not an inertial reference frame
3./train may be instantaneously at rest
4./The train may be moving at a constant speed in a straight line.
5./ The train may be moving at a constant speed in a circle.
6./The train must be speeding up.
7./The train must be slowing down.
8./The train must be accelerating

I'm thinking 2./ and 8./ as the angle of 45 degrees indicates a force acting on the load, thus meaning that the train is not an inertial reference frame, but I'm not totally shore if I am on the right track??
Where does 45° suddenly come from ?
 
ohhhh and 5./ as train can be in ciruclar motion causing an centripetal acceleration causing 45 degree angle of load and is still a non -inertial reference frame.
 
it must come from an acceleration right?
 
I see nothing regarding 45° in the problem statement .
 
Bostonpancake0 said:
I'm not totally shore if I am on the right track??
SammyS said:
Where does 45° suddenly come from ?

I not shore you're on the left track, either...

It might be that the train car is now buoyed up by the water you've entered, when leaving the shore...

Iff this is the case, you are in a non-inertial reference frame.

The 45° string angle could indicate you are about to turn turtle, in which case 3./ will shorely apply... :approve:
OCR... :-p... lol
 
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