ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Frame of reference

Okay, so imagine you're sitting in a car and you look out the window. Everything you see outside, like trees, buildings, and people, are moving past you, right? Now, let's say you get out of the car and stand still on the sidewalk. Suddenly, everything looks like it's standing still, and it's you who's moving!

That's because your moving car was your "frame of reference" before, and when you got out, your frame of reference changed. A frame of reference is basically just a way to measure motion or movement. It's like a point of view that helps you make sense of what you're seeing.

Different people can have different frames of reference depending on where they are, what they're doing, and what they're looking at. That's why two people can look at the same thing and describe it differently, because they're both using their own frames of reference.

So, to sum up: a frame of reference is a way of measuring movement, and it can change depending on where you are and what you're doing. It's like looking at the world through different glasses that help you make sense of what's going on around you!