Which of the following is restricted to inertial frames of reference?

Special relativity is restricted to inertial frames of reference because it is based on the premise that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames. An inertial frame is one that is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity, meaning it is not experiencing any acceleration. In special relativity, it is also assumed that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and does not depend on the motion of the observer or the source of light.

This principle leads to the conclusion that time and space are interwoven in a way that differs from our everyday experiences, but it only applies in scenarios devoid of acceleration. For phenomena involving accelerating frames, general relativity must be employed, which generalizes the principles of special relativity to include gravity and acceleration, thereby not being restricted to inertial frames.

Thus, the significance of special relativity lies in its rigorous constraints on frame types, making it essential for understanding relativistic effects in those specific contexts.