Universal Journal of Physics and Application Vol. 5(3), pp. 523 - 534
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A PAIR OF INERTIAL FRAMES VERSUS AN INERTIAL FRAME

AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION: Chen T. and Chen Z.

ABSTRACT

Without an inertial frame, we are unable to identify and define the force(s) acting upon an object. Without force, we are unable to classify and define an inertial frame(s) to describe the motion of objects. Because the circular definitions of inertia and force, we propose to remove the dynamic aspect of the definition and employ only kinetics in defining what an inertial frame is. Kinetically, we are unable to define an inertial frame, but we can define a pair of inertial frames: a pair of reference frames which have a constant relative velocity with respect to each other. There are infinitely many pairs of inertial frames in the universe, which can be differentiated into separate groups. If a new pair of inertial frames can be formed from an existing pair of inertial frames, then these inertial frames all belong to the same pair-group. The Principle of Relativity, which states that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames, should be only applied to all inertial frames formed from the same pair-group. We utilized the locus of a moving object shown on the geometry graph and applied this pair of inertial frames concept to conclude that relative motion, in some instances, is not entirely relative.