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To: LeGrande

If you are in an accelerating reference frame, then Newton’s laws still apply because the sum of all forces still equals mass X acceleration, you just have extra forces (such as the coriolis and centrifugal forces in the earths rotationally accelerating frame).

Newton’s laws and Einstein’s predictions do not give the same result when gravitational fields are much larger than those on earth. Einstein’s theory of General Relativity is the most accurate gravitational theory we have because it works in all reference frames.

The steady state example actually illustrates Einstein’s idea in SR that the laws of physics are the same in all non-accelerating reference frames. It so happens that Newtonian mechanics is usually sufficient in these reference frames.


959 posted on 01/04/2009 6:14:48 PM PST by camerakid400
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To: camerakid400
If you are in an accelerating reference frame, then Newton’s laws still apply because the sum of all forces still equals mass X acceleration, you just have extra forces (such as the coriolis and centrifugal forces in the earths rotationally accelerating frame).

No, your mass approaches infinity as your velocity approaches the speed of light. In Newtons equations your mass stays constant as you accelerate, Newton is incorrect. Even at non relativistic speeds your mass increases as you accelerate, we just may not be able to measure it : )

But that wasn't precisely what you were stating was it? I think you were putting someone in a box (no other references) and stating for that observer Newton physics would work fine. I already agreed that would be correct. It only gets interesting when you get other objects in your frame of reference : )

Newton’s laws and Einstein’s predictions do not give the same result when gravitational fields are much larger than those on earth. Einstein’s theory of General Relativity is the most accurate gravitational theory we have because it works in all reference frames.

Correct. Newton was almost right and since his equations are a lot easier we use them.

The steady state example actually illustrates Einstein’s idea in SR that the laws of physics are the same in all non-accelerating reference frames. It so happens that Newtonian mechanics is usually sufficient in these reference frames.

What you really mean to say is at non relativistic speeds and/or large Gravity fields. You do know that you are being accelerated right now, don't you?

961 posted on 01/04/2009 9:34:40 PM PST by LeGrande
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