In physics and astronomy, a frame of reference is an abstract coordinate system that is used to describe the position, orientation, and scale of objects. It provides a context for measuring the position and motion of an object. Here are some key points about frames of reference:
- A frame of reference is a set of coordinates that can be used to determine the positions and velocities of objects within that frame.
- Inertial frames of reference are frames where Newtons laws of motion hold true, meaning that if no external forces are acting on a body, it will remain at rest or in constant motion.
- Non-inertial frames of reference are frames where Newton's laws of motion do not hold true due to the presence of acceleration or rotation.
- In Einsteinian relativity, reference frames are used to specify the relationship between a moving observer and the phenomenon under observation. In this context, the term often becomes an observational frame of reference, which implies that the observer is at rest in the frame, although not necessarily located at its origin.
- Different frames of reference can have different perspectives on the position and motion of objects. For example, an observer in a moving car may perceive a pedestrian as stationary, while an observer on the sidewalk may perceive the pedestrian as moving.
In a broader sense, a frame of reference can also refer to a set of ideas or facts that a person accepts and that influences their behavior, opinions, or decisions.
