Inertial Reference Frame

Definition

An inertial reference frame is a coordinate system in which Newton's laws of motion hold true and there are no external forces acting on an object. It is a frame of reference that is not accelerating or rotating.

Related terms

Accelerating Reference Frame: A reference frame in which an object experiences acceleration due to external forces.

Non-inertial Reference Frame: A reference frame that is either accelerating or rotating, where Newton's laws of motion do not hold true.

Galilean Principle of Relativity: The principle stating that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames.