🎡ap physics 1 review

Non-inertial frame of reference

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A non-inertial frame of reference is a coordinate system that is accelerating or rotating with respect to an inertial frame. In this frame, the laws of physics don't hold as they do in an inertial frame.

"Non-inertial frame of reference" also found in:

2,589 studying →