Correction: For the gravitational example it should be, *in sequence* of mass, force, time; slug, pound (lbf), second, with force as "dominant". This, in consistent sequence, is more logical to confirm, Pat.
---- Original message ---- >Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:21:22 -0500 (CDT) >From: <[email protected]> >Subject: [USMA:47884] Re: The metric system or what? >To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> > > >Bill, >To clarify the meanings of absolute and gravitational: >If mass is dominant, a mechanical set of three units for mass, force, and time >is called "absolute"; examples- gram, dyne, second; kg, newton, second; pound, >poundal, second. >If force is dominant, the set is called "gravitational"; example- pound, slug, >second. > >---- Original message ---- >>Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:00:36 -0400 >>From: Bill Hooper <[email protected]> >>Subject: [USMA:47882] Re: The metric system or what? >>To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> >>... >> Pat, >> ... >> When I studied physics in college (Rensselaer >> Polytechnic Institute), we had four "systems" of >> units that we learned. They were: >> the English "absolute" system >> (based in part on the slug as the mass unit and >> the pound as the calculated force unit) >> the English "gravitational" system >> (based in part on the pound as the unit of mass >> and the poundal as the calculated force unit) >>... > > Bill Hooper >> 73 kg body mass* >> Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA >> * plus or minus a kilogram or so. >
