What is a Frame of Reference?

A frame of reference is a coordinate system or set of axes used to define the position, orientation, and motion of objects in space and time. It serves as a reference point from which measurements and observations are made.

A frame of reference is required to measure various quantities, such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Physical reference points in the frame of reference act as a unique means of fixing the coordinate system and standardizing measurements.

Consider an example where two one persons are there. One is present in a moving car and other is observing him. The person inside the car is at rest, but its’s moving for the person outside the car because the car is moving so he will say that he is moving with some velocity in some direction. So, if we want to calculate it’s velocity or its’s direction, we need to define some frame of reference that in reference to this frame this person is moving. And if take the reference to the car, only car is moving and the person inside the cart is still.

Types of Frame of Reference

There are two types of Frame of Reference:

• Inertial Frame of Reference
• Non-Inertial Frame of Reference

Inertial and Non-Inertial Frame of Reference are two frames of reference based on the validity of Newton’s Laws of motion on them. Frames of reference play a fundamental role in physics, to the analyze object motion, investigation of forces and interactions, and understanding of relativity principles. They establish a standardized framework for describing physical phenomena and predicting the behavior of systems.

In this article, we will learn in detail about inertial and non-inertial frame of reference with a brief introduction of frame of reference.