I Reference frame vs coordinate system

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The discussion clarifies the distinction between reference frames and coordinate systems, emphasizing that a reference frame has physical significance related to physical laws, while a coordinate system is a mathematical tool for representing those frames numerically. It highlights that terminology varies in literature, with "reference frame" sometimes used interchangeably with "coordinate system," leading to confusion. The conversation also explores the concept of frame fields, which consist of sets of orthonormal vectors at each point in spacetime, and how these relate to inertial and non-inertial frames. It notes that in classical mechanics, the absence of a spacetime metric complicates the definition of frame fields. Overall, understanding these concepts is crucial for bridging classical mechanics and relativity.
  • #31
cianfa72 said:
I take it as if we assign fixed spatial coordinate values to observer's parts (i.e. to their worldlines in the worldtube) and define coordinate time such that the Pythagorean theorem holds for the proper distance of events at rest in the chart being defined that have the same coordinate time value (i.e. they are Einstein synchronized).
You can't do that if geodesic deviation is present. If geodesic deviation is present, one of the elements of your prescription must fail. It is impossible to meet all of your requirements in the presence of geodesic deviation.
 
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  • #32
I found some new reference on this. In book "Special Relativity in General Frame", the concept of "local frame" is defined, similarly the concept of observer, in section 3.4.

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I wonder if this is a common definition, and does it generalise to GR well?
 
  • #33
lriuui0x0 said:
In book "Special Relativity in General Frame"
Can you give a link?
 
  • #34
lriuui0x0 said:
I wonder if this is a common definition, and does it generalise to GR well?
Yes and yes. The only thing missing from what you posted is that, to be a full frame field (i.e., tetrad field), the "local frame" needs to be defined, not just on the worldline, but in an open neighborhood around it. That enables the kinematic decomposition to be computed.
 
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