>on 2001-03-15 01.11, Gregory Peterson at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
>> I noticed a couple of uses of metric at Walmart that were worth noting:
>>
>> 1) Life jackets.
>>
>> Though none of the labelling was done by Walmart all the printing on the life
>> jackets gave chest sizes in inches, centimetres; this order and no brackets.
>> As well certain brands also included a "minimum flotation" value quoted in
>> 'N', 'pounds-force'; this order and no brackets
>>
>> I have to admit that at first I didn't know what "61 N" was refering to, at
>> first thinking that this might be some regulatory rating number. It was
>> unforatuante that I had to see "pounds-force" to realize that the number was
>> quoted in newtons. I so rarely see newtons and I have come to expect any of
>> the confusing collection of wombat units that I didn't expect to see a
>> rational metric unit of measure.
>> Fortunately I understand this newton value relative to my own weight far more
>> than "pounds-force".
The manufacturer was over-correct, or, as we say in Quebec, "more Catholic
than the Pope". If the life jacket had a flotation power 61 N at sea
level, it would have a flotation power of only 60.93 N at Denver. However,
at sea level and 45° latitude the life jacket would support (float) a mass
of 6.22 kg, and at Denver it would still float a mass of 6.22 kg. Hence
the flotation power should have been expressed in kilograms.or pounds-mass.
Joseph B. Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
