Definition:Internal Force
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Definition
Let $B$ be a body.
An internal force is a force $\mathbf f$ exerted by one particle $P_1$ of $B$ on another particle $P_2$ of $B$, and to which there exists an equal and opposite reaction exerted by $P_2$ upon $P_1$.
Hence internal forces exist in pairs whose individual resultants are zero.
Hence the resultant of all the internal forces is also zero.
Also see
- Definition:External Force: a force which can affect a body as a whole
- Results about internal forces can be found here.
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): internal force
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): internal force