Definition of principle of relativity Principle of relativity
We found 3 definitions of principle of relativity from 3 different sources.
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What does principle of relativity mean?
WordNet
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| principle of relativity - (physics) a universal law that states that the laws of mechanics are not affected by a uniform rectilinear motion of the system of coordinates to which they are referred | ||
| law of nature, law the learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system; "he studied law at Yale" | ||
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Wiktionary 
Wikipedia 
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In the Physics of Aristotle, heavy objects fall faster than objects that are not heavy. The natural science of Aristotle dominated Western thought for 2,000 years.
Galileo proved that all objects fall with the same acceleration. Therefore, the longer an object moves with constant acceleration the faster is its final velocity. Also, if different objects each having a different mass are dropped from rest (initial velocity is zero) at the same height, they will all hit the ground at the same velocity regardless of the mass. The experimental discoveries of Galileo and the Laws of Motion developed mathematically by Newton gave birth to modern science.
The principle of relativity of Galileo says "Is impossible by mechanical means to say whether we move or stay at rest". If two trains are moving at the same speed in the same direction, then a passenger in either car will not be able to notice that either train is moving. However, if the passenger takes a fixed frame of reference, a fixed point, like the earth, he will then be able to notice the motion of either train. Another thing, if one stands on the earth one will not be able to see that it is moving.
This principle is just taken from observation. If for example we are travelling by plane at constant speed we can walk through the corridor noticing nothing special.
From a practical point of view, this means that Newton's laws of motion are valid in all inertial systems, which means those at rest or those moving with constant spee
