d'Alembert's principle

noun

d'A·​lem·​bert's principle
¦daləm¦be(ə)rz-
: a principle in mechanics: the reaction due to the inertia of an accelerated body (as a baseball) is equal and opposite to the force causing the acceleration (as the blow of a bat upon the baseball) and results in a condition of kinetic equilibrium compare law of motion sense 3

Word History

Etymology

after Jean LeRond d'Alembert †1783 French mathematician, its formulator

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Cite this Entry

“D'Alembert's principle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/d%27Alembert%27s%20principle. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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