Why do Newton's laws of motion only work in inertial frames?

In summary, Newton's laws of motion are only applicable in inertial frame of reference because they do not take into account fictitious forces like the Coriolis force. This force, along with other fictitious forces, is necessary to apply Newton's laws in a non-inertial frame. Fictitious forces only appear in accelerating reference frames, which is why they were invented to make Newton's laws work in non-inertial frames.
  • #1
astro2cosmos
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why the Newton's law of motion are only valid in inertial frame of reference, not in non-inertial frame? since force like Coriolis force are not considered for these laws.
 
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  • #2
The Coriolis force is an example of a fictitious force that needs to be added when viewing things from a rotating frame in order to apply Newton's laws. Fictitious forces only appear in accelerating reference frames.
 
  • #3
Hi astro2cosmos! :smile:

In a non-inertial frame, Newton's laws of motion are valid if we allow fictitious forces such as centrifugal force and Coriolis force …

that is what the fictitious forces were invented for, to make Newton's laws work! :wink:
 

FAQ: Why do Newton's laws of motion only work in inertial frames?

What is Newton's law and why is it significant?

Newton's law, also known as Newton's laws of motion, are a set of three physical laws that describe the relationship between an object's motion and the forces acting upon it. These laws are significant because they have been the foundation of classical mechanics and have been used to explain and predict the motion of objects in the universe for centuries.

What does it mean to invalidate Newton's law?

To invalidate Newton's law means to prove that it is not always accurate or applicable in certain situations. This could be due to new discoveries, advancements in technology, or the observation of phenomena that cannot be explained by Newton's law.

Has Newton's law been completely invalidated?

No, Newton's law has not been completely invalidated. It is still applicable and accurate in many situations, especially in everyday life. However, it has been found to have limitations and has been modified or replaced by other theories in certain scenarios.

What are some examples of when Newton's law is not accurate?

Some examples of when Newton's law is not accurate include situations involving very small objects, very fast-moving objects, or objects with extremely high mass. In these scenarios, other theories such as quantum mechanics or Einstein's theory of relativity are needed to accurately describe the motion of objects.

How does the invalidation of Newton's law impact the scientific community?

The invalidation of Newton's law challenges scientists to continue exploring and understanding the laws of physics. It encourages the development of new theories and the refinement of existing ones. It also shows that science is a constantly evolving field and that no theory is absolute or infallible.

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