Earth is a inertial frame of reference

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the concept of inertia and whether Earth can be classified as an inertial or non-inertial frame of reference. Participants explore the implications of inertia in different contexts, including theoretical and experimental scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants define inertia as resistance to acceleration and suggest that if the Higgs mechanism is valid, it may explain inertia through interaction with the Higgs field, although the Higgs has not been detected.
  • One participant argues that standing on the surface of the Earth means one is not in an inertial reference frame due to the upward force exerted by the Earth, indicating it is a non-inertial frame.
  • Another participant acknowledges that while the surface of the Earth is generally a non-inertial reference frame, it can be treated as inertial in specific experimental contexts, such as high-energy particle collisions where gravity's effects can be neglected.
  • Conversely, in experiments involving fluids, gravity's influence must be considered, suggesting that a different setup, such as conducting experiments in space, would be necessary to accurately observe interactions without gravitational effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether Earth is an inertial frame, with some asserting it is non-inertial while others propose that it can be treated as inertial under certain conditions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding a definitive classification of Earth's frame of reference.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on specific experimental conditions and the limitations of applying the concept of inertial frames universally. The discussion reflects the complexity of defining inertial frames in varying contexts.

sulemanasif
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hi all of u
WHAT IS INERTIA? and Earth is a inertial frame of reference or non inertial frame of reference? tell me briefly.
 
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Inertia is resistance towards acceleration. If the Higgs mechanism is correct, it can be explained as interaction with the Higgs field. But Higgs has not yet been detected.

When you are standing on the surface of the earth, you are not in an inertial reference frame, because the Earth pushes you up all the time, and doesn't allow you to follow a free fall trajectory.

Torquil
 


torquil said:
Inertia is resistance towards acceleration. If the Higgs mechanism is correct, it can be explained as interaction with the Higgs field. But Higgs has not yet been detected.

When you are standing on the surface of the earth, you are not in an inertial reference frame, because the Earth pushes you up all the time, and doesn't allow you to follow a free fall trajectory.

Torquil

it means eath is a non inertial frame of reference?
 


Yes, a frame following the surface of Earth is a non-inertial reference frame. But it is all relative. E.g. for the experiments done in particle physics in accelerators, the time intervals of collisions are so short that gravity can be neglected. So in that regard, we are considering the surface of Earth to be an inertial frame.

On the other hand, if the experiment is to observe e.g. the interaction between oil and water in a tank, then the same reference system is not adequate, since we know that gravity will separate the fluid components because of their differing densities. So you would have to take the tank up into space and see how the two fluids interact when the tank is circling Earth in free fall.

Torquil
 


thanx
 

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