The state of motion of an object is defined by its velocity - the speed with a direction.A change in the state of motion of an object indicates that a force has been applied to it. It accelerates in response, and this appears as a change in its state of motion. It may speed up, slow down, or change direction in response to the applied force.
-
I haven't really come across the term "states of motion" before.
Having said that, the only reasonable answer, is that there are only two truly distinct states of Motion -
accelerating and not accelerating.
If an object is traveling at a constant speed, there can always be some "observer" who thinks that the object is stationary with respect to him/her - therefore, constant motion & being stationary are just the same state, as seen by different reference frames.
The state of "acceleration" is the same as the state of "being acted on by a force".
This one is a bit tricky to understand, but I'm going to try to explain it -
If you are being accelerated in a given direction, you will feel what appears to be a "force" in the other direction.
i.e. if you are in a lift accelerating upwards, you get pressed more towards the floor.
Einstein's principle of equivalence says that without external measurements, there is no way of knowing if you are being accelerated in one direction, or being acted on by a force in the other direction - the two are completely equivalent.
Having said that, the only reasonable answer, is that there are only two truly distinct states of Motion -
accelerating and not accelerating.
If an object is traveling at a constant speed, there can always be some "observer" who thinks that the object is stationary with respect to him/her - therefore, constant motion & being stationary are just the same state, as seen by different reference frames.
The state of "acceleration" is the same as the state of "being acted on by a force".
This one is a bit tricky to understand, but I'm going to try to explain it -
If you are being accelerated in a given direction, you will feel what appears to be a "force" in the other direction.
i.e. if you are in a lift accelerating upwards, you get pressed more towards the floor.
Einstein's principle of equivalence says that without external measurements, there is no way of knowing if you are being accelerated in one direction, or being acted on by a force in the other direction - the two are completely equivalent.