Why would Newton's 2nd law be meaningless here?

In summary, the passage explains that if an isolated body begins to accelerate, it becomes difficult to determine if the system is truly isolated or if there was a mistake in isolating it. This highlights the need for an independent way of measuring in order to accurately assess the situation.
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  • #2
As the example says, if the object starts to accelerate you have no way of telling whether or not it is actually isolated unless you can find something else to measure. Is the system isolated and the laws of physics broken? Or is it that you haven't isolated the system well? You don't know! You need an independent way of telling.
 
  • #3
Thanks Drakkith...I think I might've misinterpreted what it was saying a bit
 

FAQ: Why would Newton's 2nd law be meaningless here?

1. Why is Newton's 2nd law meaningless in certain situations?

Newton's 2nd law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. However, this law is based on the assumption of a constant mass and a linear relationship between force and acceleration. In certain situations, such as when dealing with extremely small or extremely large objects, or when considering non-linear relationships between force and acceleration, Newton's 2nd law may not apply.

2. Can you give an example of a situation where Newton's 2nd law is meaningless?

One example is at the quantum level, where the concept of a constant mass breaks down. In this case, the mass of an object is not well-defined and can change depending on its velocity. Therefore, Newton's 2nd law cannot be accurately applied.

3. What other factors may make Newton's 2nd law meaningless?

Other factors that can affect the applicability of Newton's 2nd law include non-inertial reference frames, where there is an apparent force acting on an object due to its acceleration, and situations involving complex systems with multiple forces acting on them.

4. Is there a more accurate law that can be used in situations where Newton's 2nd law is meaningless?

In situations where Newton's 2nd law is not applicable, other laws or models, such as the laws of quantum mechanics or Einstein's theory of relativity, can be used to accurately describe the behavior of objects. These laws take into account factors that are not considered in Newton's 2nd law, such as the uncertainty principle and the effects of gravity on time and space.

5. How does the meaninglessness of Newton's 2nd law affect our understanding of the physical world?

The limitations of Newton's 2nd law in certain situations do not invalidate its usefulness in most everyday scenarios. However, it does highlight the need for continuous scientific exploration and the development of new theories to fully understand the complexities of the physical world. It also reminds us that our current understanding of the laws of physics is constantly evolving and subject to change as we make new discoveries.

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