What are Reference Frames?
- Frames of reference are used to specify the relationship between a moving and stationary object.
- They are from the point of view of an observer or object.
- The image above shows two reference frames, one from the perspective of the person on the platform and one from the perspective of the person on the train.
- From either perspective, the person themselves are not moving, but the other person is moving.
- The person standing on the platform sees the person sitting in the train moving with the speed of the train.
- The person sitting in the train sees the person on the platform moving with the speed of the train.
- Neither of these perspectives can be proven to be the "correct" or "incorrect" one, which is why different reference frames need to be considered.
- Specifically, a reference frame is a coordinate system that allows a single value of time and position to be assigned to an event.
Intertial Frames of Reference
- An inertial reference frame is a way of looking at a situation from a non-accelerating perspective.
- This means reference frames are non-accelerating and move at constant velocity with respect to one another.
- There is no absolute or stationary reference frame in the universe.
