Why do we say Objects at rest tend to stay at rest?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of rest and motion in relation to Newton's laws of motion. It is noted that there is no absolute frame of reference for rest and motion, as it is all relative to the chosen coordinate system. It is also discussed that it is possible to create a body at rest in the universe, but it is simply a matter of defining it as such in the chosen coordinate system. The conversation concludes by mentioning the importance of considering all factors and perspectives when making scientific statements.
  • #1
AlberWiesbauer
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Science wants to be correct,
Every observable object on the planet is not at rest, we are all moving in space.
Have any calculations been attempted to add a constant or variable to make calculations not
start at rest, but at a certain motion?
How can scientists reasonable say a statement that "a body at rest tends to stay at rest?"
We can only say a body relatively at rest, but this is an illusion since all objects observable to us move in space at a rate which apparently is increasing, due to the current observation of the expansion of the universe.

We would could only test what we observe, "a body in motion tends to stay in that motion until altered." We cannot assume "a body at rest tends to stay at rest." Because we cannot create at this time something on this planet at rest in the universe.

-Albert Wiesbauer
 
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By having deteremined we are not at rest, we should rethink the idea of inertia. Maybe if something is set into space at true rest it would start to spin without having a velocity to keep it from spinning. Once velocity is added things could act different. Is there a way to disprove this?
 
  • #4
What you say about "true rest" seems to suggest that the universe has some absolute frame of reference against which to measure such a thing. Special and general relativity (and I suppose even Galilean relativity) say that such an absolute reference frame doesn't exist, only relative velocities have meaning.

These ideas have served us well and there is nothing to suggest that an absolute frame of reference for the universe exists.
 
  • #5
AlberWiesbauer said:
By having deteremined we are not at rest, we should rethink the idea of inertia. Maybe if something is set into space at true rest it would start to spin without having a velocity to keep it from spinning. Once velocity is added things could act different. Is there a way to disprove this?

Motion is always relative to some referential. There is no true rest. The rest in Newton's 1st law is taken as relative to some inertial referential.
 
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  • #7
AlberWiesbauer said:
Every observable object on the planet is not at rest, we are all moving in space.
This is not exactly correct either. Whether you are moving or at rest depends on the coordinate system that you choose. You can certainly choose one where you are at rest, and you can also choose one where we are all moving in space. Both are correct and the math works out correctly in either case, but there is no sense in which one inertial coordinate system is preferred over another.

AlberWiesbauer said:
We cannot assume "a body at rest tends to stay at rest." Because we cannot create at this time something on this planet at rest in the universe.
Yes, we can. Not only can we do this, it is easy to do. All we have to do is to define a given body to be at rest at some moment and build our coordinate system accordingly.
 
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Related to Why do we say Objects at rest tend to stay at rest?

1. Why do objects at rest tend to stay at rest?

The tendency for objects at rest to stay at rest is due to Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia. This law states that an object will remain at rest or continue moving in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by an external force.

2. What is the concept of inertia?

Inertia is the resistance of an object to change its state of motion. Objects at rest have a tendency to remain at rest due to their inertia, while objects in motion have a tendency to continue moving in a straight line at a constant speed due to their inertia.

3. How does the mass of an object affect its tendency to stay at rest?

The greater the mass of an object, the greater its inertia and therefore, the greater its tendency to stay at rest. This is because it requires more force to overcome the inertia of a heavier object and set it in motion.

4. What role does friction play in the tendency for objects at rest to stay at rest?

Friction is a force that opposes motion and acts as an external force on an object. It is the force that must be overcome to set an object in motion. Therefore, friction plays a key role in the tendency for objects at rest to stay at rest.

5. Can objects at rest ever be set in motion without an external force?

No, according to Newton's First Law of Motion, an external force is required to overcome the inertia of an object at rest and set it in motion. However, once an object is set in motion, it will continue moving at a constant speed in a straight line unless acted upon by another external force.

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