# Fictitious Forces $\overset{?}{⇔}$ Constraint Forces (re: D'Alembert's Principle)

Are fictitious forces and constraint forces the same thing?

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No. I don't understand why you think there is any connection. –  Siyuan Ren Sep 8 '12 at 2:22
@KarsusRen: This is probably a question on terminology, and your answer is adequate--- why not make it an answer, together with an example or two? –  Ron Maimon Sep 8 '12 at 3:09

The question is legitimate in the sense that one can often read, especially in older literature, that "d'Alembert's Principle has successfully reduced Dynamics to Statics". If d'Alembert's Principle (principle of virtual work) stated for a constrained system in equilibrium $$\sum_k{F_k\ \delta r_k =0}$$ is enough to lay the foundations of Statics (bridges, buildings) then it is a remarcable result that the very same principle would completely suffice for Dynamics.
In this case then the $- m \dot v$ addition to the principle are really nothing more than the fictitious forces appearing in the comoving frame where the representative point is at equilibrium (pure statics).
Now I see that the question was asked about the constraint forces. Obviously these are not the fictive forces (which do indeed apear in this setting) but they are simply the difference between the real and the fictitious (forces of inertia) forces, $F_{constraint}=F-m\ \dot v$ –  Lupercus Sep 8 '12 at 11:03