The Energy-Constraint Interpretation of Inertia: Quantification and Experimental Predictions

Inertia is interpreted in Energy-Efficiency Theory (EET) as the stability of constrained-state energy against changes in motion. While the ontological companion paper establishes why inertia does no work, this paper provides quantitative predictions and experimental protocols that distinguish EET from classical theories. Starting from the constraint barrier EbEb and the response energy rate E˙respE˙resp, we derive a unique EET relation: the attempt frequency for inertial leakage is λ0=E˙resp/Ebλ0=E˙resp/Eb, not a free parameter. This leads to a testable prediction: the Arrhenius prefactor in mechanical oscillator dissipation can be independently measured via fluctuation spectroscopy, and must equal E˙resp/EbE˙resp/Eb within experimental uncertainty. Additional predictions include: (1) the inertial leakage dissipation rate E˙diss=E˙respe−Eb/kBTE˙diss=E˙respe−Eb/kBT; (2) the crossover temperature T∗T∗ where inertial leakage becomes measurable satisfies kBT∗=Eb/ln⁡(E˙resp/E˙min)kBT∗=Eb/ln(E˙resp/E˙min). Detailed experimental protocols, statistical power analysis, and falsification criteria are provided.