Inertial and non inertial frame of reference Class 11

Define inertial and non-inertial frame of reference. Give example

Answer

Inertial and non inertial frame of reference Class 11
Verified

Hint: Frame of reference implies a reference with respect to which any measurement is done. Inertial frame implies the reference under the effect of inertia. Non inertial frame, on the other hand, implies the reference free of inertia.

Complete answer:
Inertia is the property of a body by the virtue of which it either remains at rest or in the state of motion until it is acted upon by any external force. Inertial frame of reference takes into account this property. Every body which is analyzed under an inertial frame of reference tends to maintain its position if rest or of motion until the body is acted upon by any external force. Thus, it can be said that an inertial frame of reference either remains at rest or moves with a constant velocity. For example, a car at standstill or a bus moving with constant speed are considered to be inertial frames of reference.

A non-inertial frame of reference is one which is in the state of acceleration. If a body seems to be not obeying the inertia rules, it can be said to be in a non-inertial frame of reference. In this frame of reference, Newton’s first law of motion does not hold true. The acceleration of a non-inertial frame is taken with respect to an inertial frame of reference. For example, if a car is moving with a certain acceleration it is said to be in a non-inertial frame of reference.

Note:
As long as the frame of reference is not moving or moving with a constant velocity it is termed as an inertial frame of reference. If the frame is accelerating or moving in a circular path with constant speed, it is termed as a non-inertial frame of reference.

We have learned about velocity, acceleration, and displacement. But all these quantities need a frame of reference from which they are measured. In this article, we will be learning about the frame of reference in detail.

Table of Contents

  • What is a frame of reference?
  • Types of frame of reference
    • Inertial Frame of Reference
    • Non-inertial Frame of Reference

What is a frame of reference?

We have learned about velocity, acceleration, and displacement. But all these quantities need a frame of reference from which they are measured.

In physics, a frame of reference consists of an abstract coordinate system and the set of physical reference points that uniquely fix the coordinate system and standardize measurements within that frame.

Let’s consider the following figure:

Inertial and non inertial frame of reference Class 11

If we ask A what velocity of B is, he will say it is at rest. But if we ask the same question to C, he will say B is moving with a velocity V in the positive X direction. So we can see before specifying the velocity we have to specify in which frame we are or in simple terms, we need to define a frame of reference.

In the video, the first degree of monoatomic, diatomic and triatomic gases are explained.

Inertial and non inertial frame of reference Class 11

Once we have chosen our reference they can be of two types:

  • Inertial Frame of Reference
  • Non-inertial Frame of Reference

Inertial Frame of Reference

An inertial frame of reference is a frame where Newton’s law holds true. That means if no external force is acting on a body it will stay at rest or remain in uniform motion. Suppose a body is kept on the surface of the earth, for a person on earth it is at rest while for a person on the moon it is in motion so which is my inertial frame here?

Actually, the term inertial frame is relative i.e. first we assume a reference frame to be the inertial frame of reference. So a more general definition of an inertial frame would be: Inertial frame is at rest or moves with constant velocity with respect to my assumed inertial reference frame.

Non-inertial Frame of Reference

Now we can define a non-inertial frame as a frame that is accelerated with respect to the assumed inertial frame of reference. Newton’s law will not hold true in these frames. So in the above example if I assume earth to be an inertial reference frame the moon becomes a non-inertial reference frame as it is in accelerated motion with respect to earth. But if we want to make Newton’s law hold here we need to take some mysterious forces also known as pseudo forces.

Watch how to solve problems related to the frame of reference

Inertial and non inertial frame of reference Class 11

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is meant by a frame of reference?

In physical science, a frame of reference
comprises a group of physical reference points and an abstract coordinate system that helps to standardise calculations within the given frame.

What are the two types of frames of reference?

The frame of reference is mainly of two types:
inertial frame of reference and non-inertial frame of reference.

What is meant by an inertial frame of reference?

An inertial frame of reference is the type of frame where Newtonian laws are true. This implies that if no outside force is exerted on an object, it will continue to stay in uniform motion or state of rest.

What is meant by a non-inertial frame of reference?

A non-inertial frame of reference can be defined as a frame that is in the state of acceleration relative to the considered inertial reference frame. Newtonian laws are irrelevant in these reference frames.

Which transformation is applied in the special theory of relativity?

In relativity, the transformation between multiple inertial frames is the Lorentz transformation. In Newtonian mechanics, it is replaced by a Galilean transformation.

What are the inertial and non

Inertial reference frames are the frames in which Newton's laws of motion hold good. These are the frames which are at rest or move with constant velocity with respect to one another. Non-inertial reference frames: The frames in which Newton's laws of motion do not hold good are called non-inertial reference frames.

What is a inertial frame class 11 physics?

An inertial frame of reference is a frame where Newton's law holds true. That means if no external force is acting on a body it will stay at rest or remain in uniform motion.

What is inertial frame of reference give an example?

Inertial frame of reference is one that is not undergoing acceleration. For example, a car that is traveling at constant speed provides an inertial frame of reference for the passengers inside. Another example is a motionless ramp down which objects can roll.

What do you mean by non

A non-inertial reference frame is a frame of reference that undergoes acceleration with respect to an inertial frame. An accelerometer at rest in a non-inertial frame will, in general, detect a non-zero acceleration.