Generalized forces (source code)

= Generalized forces
{title2=$\delta W=\sum_iQ_i\,\delta q_i$}
{wiki}

<Generalized forces> are the coefficients of <virtual work> in a set of <generalized coordinates>. A translational coordinate has a <force> as its coefficient, while an angular coordinate has a <torque>. A generalized <force> conjugate to $q_i$ has units of <energy> divided by the units of $q_i$. <Forces> not already included in the <Lagrangian> enter the <Euler-Lagrange equations> as $d(\partial L/\partial\dot q_i)/dt-\partial L/\partial q_i=Q_i$.