ABSTRACT
By multiplying by grl , we obtain the n general equations of motion: .., r,·j·k rlavq + jk q q = -g I . (9-16)
The right-hand member represents the rth component a' ofthe gravitational acceleration.
In particular, if the gravitational acceleration vanishes, then these equations are the wellknown equations ofgeodesics. This confirms the result of lecture 8; namely: the geodesics are the curves followed by points ofzero acceleration.
