Question

Is absolute motion possible?

Answer 1

When an object’s position changes with time with respect to surroundings then we can say that object is in motion. We know that when determining whether an object is in rest or motion a reference object is needed. If the reference object is at rest and if anybody in respect to that reference object is in motion then the motion is called the absolute motion.

Complete answer:
Motion and rest are always relative to each other. A body can never be in absolute rest or absolute motion. For example, if two persons are traveling on a bus there will be no change in position between the two persons. Then the two people sitting are at rest with respect to each other. But if some person is standing outside the bus then the two people in the bus are in motion with respect to the person standing outside. When we see trees and buildings then we say that they are at rest but they are in motion. Because the earth is always in motion, therefore, every object on earth is in motion. Since everything is relative to each other there is no such thing known as absolute motion.

Note: Absolute motion cannot be assessed in terms of velocity. However absolute motion can be assessed in terms of acceleration. Because an object’s velocity is relative to the inertial frame of reference but an object’s acceleration is relative to the object’s inertia. Velocity is rather the property of the inertial frame and not the property of the object.