In USMA 11043 Gene Mechtly wrote:
>On Thu, 15 Feb 2001 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>> ...
>> ... on the moon 1 lbm = 0.16 lbf (appr)...
>
> Sorry, Han. That is pure garbage. Mass is not equal to force
>by *any* unitless multiplication factor, exactly or even approximately.
> The relationship is f=m.a; Newton's Second Law in most simple
>form. You forgot the acceleration!
>
>>...while the natural constant 9.8 m/s2 is universally the same.
> Wrong again, Han; g is a *variable* not a constant!
> The constant 9.80665 m/s2 is a constant invented by humans
>(not a natural constant) to lock "gravitational" units to "absolute"
>units, unambiguously, by Newton's Second Law.
>
>> In the Technical system we had 1 kgm = 1 kgf at sea level, but on the moon,
>> again, 1 kgm = 0.16 kgf (appr).
> Still more garbage, Han.
> I'm sorry to be so blunt since this conflicts with my high regard
>for your great contributions to the advancement of SI.
>
>Gene.
I quite agree with what Gene wrote. I think Han really meant that at sea
level at 45° latitude kilogram-mass and kilogram-force are equal
numerically by definition. But on the moon a gravitational force of x kgf
= 0,16x kgm.
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
