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loopgrav
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Look at chapters 2 and 3 of "The Fabric of the Cosmos" by Brian Greene. It is an excellent discussion of Newton's bucket and Mach's Principle.
Understand Mach's Principle: What does it Mean?
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Mach's Principle suggests that inertia is influenced by the mass distribution of the universe, raising questions about the nature of motion and reference frames. Discussions reveal skepticism about the principle's validity, particularly regarding its implications for general relativity (GR), which many argue does not fully incorporate Mach's ideas. The debate centers on whether inertia can exist independently of other masses and how it relates to gravitational forces. Some participants express confusion over the principle's interpretation, noting that popular accounts often fail to clarify its essence. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the ongoing uncertainty and complexity surrounding Mach's Principle in contemporary physics.