An inertial frame of reference, as described in publicly accessible wikis, is a frame in which Newton’s first law of motion holds. This means that an object not subject to any net external force remains at rest or continues to move at a constant velocity in a straight line. A common example used to illustrate this concept is a spaceship moving at a constant velocity far from any gravitational sources. Within that spaceship, objects will behave as predicted by Newtonian physics in the absence of external forces.
The importance of understanding such frames lies in their role as a foundation for classical mechanics and special relativity. They provide a consistent and predictable framework for observing and describing motion. Historically, the identification of inertial frames was crucial for developing a more accurate understanding of the universe, leading to advancements in areas like navigation, astrophysics, and engineering.
