Re: [T3] Technical Data {was Converting Single MC to Dual MC)

[Jim Adney <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 16 Dec 2002 at 15:28, Dave Hall wrote:

> > A slug is the English standard unit of mass.

> I had a high opinion of engineers until now!  Just because they can't come up
> with a better unit for the lb force, they bastardise the lb mass.  ;-)
> I used to use something called a poundal, didn't I?  That was 1lb force I think,
> but it must have been while at school around 1960.

They had to make the distinction between force and mass, but the pound was used 
for both. So there evolved 2 parallel systems: One used the normal pound (pound 
force) as a force and the slug as the mass, while the other used the normal 
pound as a mass (pound mass) and invented the poundal as the unit of force. I 
find both equally valid and equally confusing, but I personally think of the 
pound as a force.  ;-)  (Otherwise, what is the meaning of torque, or 
work/energy, in ft-lbs?)

In the end I think it's much easier to start with a clean slate and use Newtons 
and kilograms.

-- 
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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