Question

For ordinary terrestrial experiments, which of the observers below are inertial and which are non-inertial?

a) a child revolving in a giant wheel

b) a driver in a sports car moving with a constant high speed of 200 km/h on a straight road

c) the pilot of an airplane which is taking off

d) a cyclist negotiating a sharp turn

e) the guard of a train which is slowing down to stop at a station

Answer 1

a) non-inertial. As the child is experiencing centripetal acc.

b)inertial. As the driver is moving with constant velocity.

c)non-inertial.

d)non-inertial.As the cyclist is experiencing centripetal acc.

e)non-inertial. As the guard is decelerating.