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
An inertial frame of reference is a frame of reference in which an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will continue in a straight line at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.
Earth can be considered an inertial frame of reference because it is constantly moving in a straight line at a constant velocity around the sun, and objects on the surface of the Earth will also move in a straight line at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force.
Examples of non-inertial frames of reference include a car accelerating or decelerating, a rotating amusement park ride, or a plane making a turn.
The concept of an inertial frame of reference is important in physics because it allows us to accurately describe and predict the motion of objects without the need to account for unnecessary forces or factors. It simplifies the study of motion and helps us understand the fundamental laws of physics.
No, the Earth's frame of reference is not truly inertial as it is affected by external forces such as gravity from other celestial bodies, atmospheric drag, and the rotation of the Earth itself. However, for many practical purposes, the Earth can be considered an inertial frame of reference as these external forces are relatively small and can be ignored.