Is acceleration relative? (In the same way that velocity is)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of acceleration and whether it is relative, similar to velocity. Participants explore various concepts of acceleration, including proper acceleration and coordinate acceleration, and their implications in different frames of reference, particularly in the context of special and general relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that acceleration is relative, drawing parallels to velocity and suggesting that it depends on the frame of reference.
  • Others contend that proper acceleration is absolute, as it can be felt and measured independently of the observer's frame, while coordinate acceleration is relative.
  • One participant mentions that if two particles are accelerating, one can be in geodesic motion while the other is not, indicating a distinction between different types of motion.
  • There is a discussion about how observers in different frames may agree on proper acceleration but may disagree on coordinate acceleration, leading to different interpretations of motion.
  • Some participants highlight that all motion is relative, but this is contested by others who point out that certain types of acceleration can be absolute.
  • One participant raises a scenario involving a cloud of dust to illustrate that internal motion can be perceived differently depending on the frame of reference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether acceleration is relative or absolute. Multiple competing views remain, with some asserting that acceleration is relative while others maintain that proper acceleration is absolute.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various definitions and concepts of acceleration, such as proper acceleration and coordinate acceleration, which may lead to confusion without clear distinctions. The implications of special and general relativity on the nature of acceleration are also noted but not resolved.

  • #31
Passionflower said:
Well then I think the question is in same category as: "Can a chicken lay an egg while traveling on top of a photon".

Haven't I seen the words "inertial frame" in some of your posts. We must be careful or we will be using things such as rigid rods and point particles next.

Matheinste.
 
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  • #32
Wouldn't a non-local quantity imply a scalar?
 
  • #33
atyy said:
But isn't a clock defined by a a definite integral, which is a nonlocal quantity?
That is not what is usually meant by "local", particularly in this context. Usually what is meant is that it is some experiment that you could perform in a small isolated room without reference to anything external to the room. Small means small enough in space and time to ignore any curvature.
 
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