How is proper acceleration defined?

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SUMMARY

Proper acceleration is defined by the forces acting on a body, which can be measured using an accelerometer. In a uniform gravitational field, an object in free fall experiences no proper acceleration, resulting in a null reading on the accelerometer. Although the object follows a hyperbolic path when viewed from external frames, its motion is classified as inertial due to the absence of measurable forces. This distinction is crucial for understanding the difference between proper acceleration and coordinate acceleration.

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  • Basic knowledge of gravitational fields and their effects
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If we are accelerating in a uniform grav field, we are unable to feel it.

In that case, are we still considered as undergoing proper acceleration? Will we follow a hyperbolic path?
 
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OMFG Clown said:
If we are accelerating in a uniform grav field, we are unable to feel it.

In that case, are we still considered as undergoing proper acceleration? Will we follow a hyperbolic path?
Hi OMFG Clown
No, in this case acceleration is defined by forces acting on the body. Measurable by an accelerometer. Free falling in a g field would have a null reading ,,no force.
There is still coordinate acceleration as measured by external frames. As charted in at least some of those frames it would be a hyperbolic path.
So your motion would be inertial , not accelerated.
 
I can't get my head around that just because we can't measure it, we consider it inertial.

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Funny that you're replying to a banned clown.

I have a funny feeling that I'm going to be banned pretty soon too.
 

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