Difference between revisions of "On the Nature of Inertia"
(Imported from text file) |
(Imported from text file) |
||
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
==Abstract== | ==Abstract== | ||
− | We show that special and general relativity provide a clear statement regarding the origin of inertia. We begin by pointing out that according to general relativity, inertial and gravitational forces arise directly out of the structure of space-time. This implies that an adequate description of inertia cannot be obtained solely on the basis of inertial mass; the role played by space-time must also be considered. General relativity is then used to derive the proper force experienced by a uniformly accelerating observer. Next, we use special relativity to derive the inertial resistance of an observer accelerating under the influence of a constant external force in flat, Minkowski space-time. Both analyses imply that the origin of inertia resides in a relationship between the energy content of matter and the local structure of time. We ultimately conclude that the origin of inertia is the relativistic nature of time. | + | We show that special and general relativity provide a clear statement regarding the origin of inertia. We begin by pointing out that according to general relativity, inertial and gravitational forces arise directly out of the structure of space-time. This implies that an adequate description of inertia cannot be obtained solely on the basis of inertial mass; the role played by space-time must also be considered. General relativity is then used to derive the proper force experienced by a uniformly accelerating observer. Next, we use special relativity to derive the inertial resistance of an observer accelerating under the influence of a constant external force in flat, Minkowski space-time. Both analyses imply that the origin of inertia resides in a relationship between the energy content of matter and the local structure of time. We ultimately conclude that the origin of inertia is the relativistic nature of time. |
− | [[Category:Relativity]] | + | [[Category:Scientific Paper|nature inertia]] |
+ | |||
+ | [[Category:Relativity|nature inertia]] |
Latest revision as of 19:47, 1 January 2017
Scientific Paper | |
---|---|
Title | On the Nature of Inertia |
Author(s) | Charles T Ridgely |
Keywords | {{{keywords}}} |
Published | 2000 |
Journal | Galilean Electrodynamics |
Volume | 11 |
Number | 1 |
Pages | 11-15 |
Abstract
We show that special and general relativity provide a clear statement regarding the origin of inertia. We begin by pointing out that according to general relativity, inertial and gravitational forces arise directly out of the structure of space-time. This implies that an adequate description of inertia cannot be obtained solely on the basis of inertial mass; the role played by space-time must also be considered. General relativity is then used to derive the proper force experienced by a uniformly accelerating observer. Next, we use special relativity to derive the inertial resistance of an observer accelerating under the influence of a constant external force in flat, Minkowski space-time. Both analyses imply that the origin of inertia resides in a relationship between the energy content of matter and the local structure of time. We ultimately conclude that the origin of inertia is the relativistic nature of time.