If the vehicle is not accelerating, the passenger is in an inertial frame of reference. This is because no acceleration means your velocity is constant. If the vehicle is accelerating, the passenger is now in a non-inertial frame of reference.

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Examples of Inertial and Non-inertial Frame of Reference

In physics, a frame of reference is a coordinate system used to describe the position, motion, and properties of objects. It serves as a reference point against which measurements can be made. Frames of reference can be classified into two types: inertial and non-inertial. In this response, we will explore five examples of both types of frames of reference.

I. Inertial Frame of Reference:
An inertial frame of reference is a coordinate system in which the laws of physics hold true without the need for any external forces. In such a frame, objects at rest remain at rest, and objects in motion continue to move at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Here are some examples:

1. A Car Moving at a Constant Speed:
Consider a car moving on a straight road at a constant speed. In this case, the car and its occupants experience no acceleration, and the laws of physics hold true. This car's frame of reference can be considered an inertial frame.

2. A Satellite Orbiting the Earth:
Satellites in orbit around the Earth move in a state of free fall due to gravitational forces. Despite their constant motion, the laws of physics, such as Newton's laws, still apply. Therefore, we can consider the reference frame of a satellite in orbit as inertial.

II. Non-inertial Frame of Reference:
A non-inertial frame of reference is a coordinate system in which the laws of physics do not hold true due to the presence of fictitious forces, such as centrifugal force or Coriolis force. Let's explore some examples:

1. A Car Accelerating:
If a car accelerates forward, the occupants inside feel a backward force pushing them. This sensation is due to the inertia of their bodies. In this frame of reference, fictitious forces come into play, making it a non-inertial frame.

2. A Passenger in an Elevator:
Consider a person standing in an elevator that is accelerating upward. The person feels a force pushing them downward. This apparent force is a result of the acceleration of the elevator and is an example of a non-inertial frame of reference.

3. A Rotating Carousel:
Imagine a person standing on a rotating carousel. As the carousel spins, the person feels a centrifugal force pushing them outward. This force is not a real force but rather a result of the rotating frame. Hence, the reference frame of a rotating carousel is non-inertial.

4. Earth's Rotating Frame:
As the Earth rotates on its axis, objects on its surface experience the Coriolis force. This force causes objects moving in a straight path to appear deflected to one side. The Earth's rotating frame, therefore, qualifies as a non-inertial frame.

5. A Roller Coaster Loop:
In a roller coaster loop, riders experience a sensation of weightlessness at the top. This feeling occurs because the riders are momentarily in free fall due to the acceleration of the roller coaster. This frame, with fictitious forces like centrifugal force, is non-inertial.

In conclusion, inertial frames of reference are coordinate systems in which the laws of physics hold true, while non-inertial frames are those where fictitious forces come into play. The examples provided in this response demonstrate how different scenarios can fall into either category, depending on the presence or absence of external forces or acceler