Is force relative like motion?

In summary: Thus, force is not relative.In summary, the direction and work of a force can vary depending on the reference frame, but the magnitude of the force remains constant. Therefore, force is not relative.
  • #1
manogyana25
6
2
When a book which is on table is pushed, it moves in the direction we push and the work done by us is positive and the energy gained by the body is also positive. But consider the frictional force. The work done by it is negative. So in one incident force is both positive and negative depending on the force we take into consideration. So, can we say force is relative?
 
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  • #2
manogyana25 said:
When a book which is on table is pushed, it moves in the direction we push and the work done by us is positive and the energy gained by the body is also positive.
The direction we push and the direction the book moves need not be the same. Consider a book on a train. We push the book rearward relative to the moving train. The book moves forward relative to the ground and the work we perform relative to the ground frame is negative.

But consider the frictional force. The work done by it is negative.
The force of friction on that book is in the forward direction. The book is moving in the forward direction relative to the ground. Relative to the ground, the work done by friction was positive.

Energy and work are frame-relative quantities, not invariants. [The magnitude of] force, however, is invariant in classical physics. It does not matter what inertial frame you adopt, acceleration and force will not vary in magnitude from one reference frame to the next.
 

FAQ: Is force relative like motion?

Is force relative like motion?

Yes, force is also relative like motion. This means that the amount of force acting on an object can vary depending on the observer's frame of reference.

What does it mean for force to be relative?

When we say that force is relative, it means that its measurement and effects can change depending on the observer's perspective. This is similar to how we perceive motion, which can appear different depending on our frame of reference.

How does relativity affect our understanding of force?

The concept of relativity in force helps us to understand that the forces acting on an object can vary depending on the observer's point of view. This is important in fields such as physics and engineering, as it allows us to accurately calculate and predict the effects of forces in different scenarios.

Are there any real-life examples of relative force?

Yes, there are many real-life examples of relative force. One example is when you are on a moving train and you throw a ball in the air. To you, the ball appears to travel in a straight line, but to an observer standing outside the train, the ball appears to follow a curved path due to the train's motion.

How do we measure relative force?

We can measure relative force by using a reference point or frame of reference. This is a fixed point or object that we use to compare the forces acting on an object. By using different frames of reference, we can measure the relative forces acting on an object and determine their effects.

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