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d'Alembert's principle

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d'A·​lem·​bert's principle | \ ¦daləm¦be(ə)rz- \

Definition of d'Alembert's principle

: 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

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History and Etymology for d'Alembert's principle

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 5 Jul. 2022.

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