Physics: The Frame of Reference Essay

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When studying physics, students encounter many new terms that can initially cause problems of assimilation. One such characteristic is the frame of reference, which often becomes a problem when studying physical science. Therefore, the purpose of this discussion board is to discuss the term. It is said that any reference frame must possess three criteria: coordinate axes, a body of reference, a stopwatch, or other time-reporting tools. Once a system satisfies the three conditions simultaneously, it is said to have its reference frame. Thus, it is seen as a set of tools for studying the motion of objects in space in simple words. For this study to be mathematically descriptive, a frame of reference is used.

It should be said that by a body of reference is understood any physical object to which the origin of coordinates or point (0,0) is attached. Thus, the presence of a coordinate system allows tracking the movement of an object in space. However, the motion should not be considered only a spatial process because it occurs in the time coordinate. In other words, a time measurement device for a reference system allows, knowing the exact time, to calculate speed or distance.

The most famous reference system for all humanity is the geocentric system, in which the Earth is located at the center. This is a highly convenient model because it allows considering the motion of objects relative to what appears to be a stationary Earth. Thus, the throwing of a ball, the path of a car, or even the airplane’s flight are evaluated from the perspective of the Earth in the center of the Cartesian coordinate system. However, not only such a system is of practical value for studying the dynamics of motion. For example, when studying the geological and geographical characteristics of the Earth, it is much more effective to use a geodetic system with an iron nucleus in the center of reference and meridians as axes.

Finally, other frames of reference can also be used, non-geocentric frames of reference. In using a heliocentric system with the Sun at the center of the coordinates, people study the motion of the planets in the solar system. In other cases, people may look at the motion of one object relative to another. For example, one might observe the gradual distance of one person from another in walking if the first person has greater acceleration.

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