Modeling inertia through the interaction with quantum fluctuations

Abstract

The origin of inertia of macroscopic bodies has never been thoroughly elucidated. In this paper we provide a new explanation based on the following assumptions: (i) we can think of any body as being composed by resonant parts of Planck size, (ii) inertia arises from the interaction among these elementary constituents and quantum fluctuations. In compliance with such prescription, we propose two frameworks within which inertia can be modeled. The first one relies on the direct application of Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to the fluctuations nearby a body, the other involves the asymmetric (Casimir-like) damping of the radiation experienced by an accelerated object due to the appearance of a Rindler horizon. Consistency between the two approaches is then discussed.

Keywords

• Inertia
• Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
• Unruh radiation
• Black holes