On Sat, 5 Apr 2003, Jim Elwell wrote:
> ... not exceeding 5% error with any of my weights (5 g through 1 kg).
"mass standards" (5 g through 1 kg), are not forces (weights), either in a laboratory or in a kitchen.
> ... was never off by more than 1% with any of my calibration weights.
Are your physical standards calibrated in newtons, and if so, at what location?
Gene:
I am perfectly aware of the difference between weight (force) and mass.
However, in common usage, e.g., on kitchen and bathroom scales, "weight" is synonymous with "mass." My calibration weights (masses, if you prefer) are 5 g, 10 g, 50 g, 100 g, 500 g and 1000 g, and are labeled thusly. My new scale weighs (masses) in 1 g increments.
Neither the scale nor my weights are calibrated in newtons. And I, for one, think we have more important battles to fight than changing the colloquial usage of "weight" to either "force" or "mass."
I also have no doubt that some purists on the list will consider this heresy, but I'll try not to lose any sleep over that.
Jim Elwell, CAMS Electrical Engineer Industrial manufacturing manager Salt Lake City, Utah, USA www.qsicorp.com
