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13 August, 15:36

Describe what it means to view a moving object from a frame of reference. Give an example to illustrate your explanation.

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  1. 13 August, 15:55
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    For an object to be moving actually requires a defined frame of reference. This is an outcome of the principle of relativity. Here's an example:

    Imagine you're standing on the platform of a train station, watching a train go past you as it leaves the station. In this case the platform is your frame of reference. Things at rest with respect to the station (like other people on the platform and the ground itself) are all considered to be in your frame of reference. Anything you see moving is not in your frame of reference. From your perspective the train can be considered to be moving.

    However, it is important not to confuse this with absolute motion. According to relativity theory there is no such thing as absolute motion. We cannot simply state, "The train is moving." This is a meaningless statement because all motion is relative*. To see what I mean here, consider yourself now on the train instead of on the platform. Let us assume the train is moving at a constant speed. What do you see then? Do you perceive yourself as moving? Your first thought may be "yes, I am moving" since you see buildings going past you. Since buildings don't usually move, it must be you, and not the platform who is moving. This is not correct, however. Whether you are moving or not is simply a matter of perspective. There is no experiment you could do on the train to determine which of you is moving. Einstein argued that this is because neither of these situations is definitely (absolutely) moving. In the frame of reference of the train, the platform is moving. It fits the definition of motion, that is: its position is changing in time. On the train you are not moving relative to yourself (that's impossible!) Therefore you may correctly assert that it is the platform that is moving, not you. For this reason you need not run fast to get to the front of the train car. You can simply walk there at a normal pace. You can also jump vertically and you'll land in the same spot; the train car will not move under your feet. Simply put, the same results apply to you whether the train is seen as moving from the platform or not. Thus to people on the train, it is not in motion.

    This is kind of a long answer but that is because the question is trickier than it seems. The question asks about a "moving object". But in my example here, which object is the "moving" one depends on where you are located (which frame of reference you are in).

    *Here I mean all translational motion. Rotational motion is not relative. If you are rotating you are able to tell with respect to distant objects that you are indeed absolutely rotating and all frames of reference will agree upon that fact.
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