User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox2: Difference between revisions

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==Definition in terms of the SI unit of force==
==Definition in terms of the SI unit of force==


The newton (symbol: N) is the unit of force named in the [[International System of Units]] (SI). Using the standard average acceleration due to gravity, denoted '''''g<sub>n</sub>''''', as being 9.80665 m/s<sup>2</sup><ref name=GCPM3/> and the internationally agreed upon definition of the pound-mass, denotes as '''''lbm''''', as being 0.45359237 kg<ref name=NBS/>, we have:
The newton (symbol: N) is the unit of force named in the [[International System of Units]] (SI). Using the standard average acceleration due to gravity, denoted '''''g<sub>n</sub>''''', as being 9.80665 m/s<sup>2</sup> and the internationally agreed upon definition of the pound-mass, denotes as '''''lbm''''', as being 0.45359237 kg:<ref name=GCPM3/><ref name=NBS/>


:<math>\begin{align}1\,\mathrm{lbf} &= 1\,\mathrm{lbm} \cdot g_n \\
:<math>\begin{align}1\,\mathrm{lbf} &\equiv 1\,\mathrm{lbm} \cdot g_n \\
&= 0.45359237\,\mathrm{kg} \cdot 9.80665\,\mathrm{\tfrac{m}{s^2}}\\
&\equiv 0.45359237\,\mathrm{kg} \cdot 9.80665\,\mathrm{\tfrac{m}{s^2}}\\
&= 4.4482216152605\,\mathrm{N} (exactly)\end{align}</math>
&\equiv 4.4482216152605\,\mathrm{N} \end{align}</math>


==Notes==
==Notes==
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{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=


<ref name=GCPM3>[http://www.bipm.org/en/CGPM/db/3/2/ Resolution of the 3rd meeting of the CGPM (1901)]</ref>
<ref name=GCPM3>[http://www.bipm.org/en/CGPM/db/3/2/ Resolution of the 3rd meeting of the CGPM (1901)] Definition of the standard average acceleration due to gravity</ref>


<ref name=NBS>[http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP447/app8.pdf Appendix 8, Customary System of Weights and Measures] [[U.S. Dept. of Commerce]], Appendix 8, July 15, 1968.</ref>
<ref name=NBS>[http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP447/app8.pdf Appendix 8, Customary System of Weights and Measures] [[U.S. Dept. of Commerce]], July 15, 1968. Definition of the pound-mass.</ref>
}}
}}

Revision as of 16:11, 5 July 2011

The pound-force (symbol: lbf[Note 1] ) is a measurement unit of force which will accelerate 1 pound of mass to 9.80665 m/s2 (≈ 32.17405 ft/s2), the standard average acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface (referred to as gn[1]). It is used primarily in the United States and is equivalent to exactly 4.4482216152605 newtons.

In common usage and other contexts, it is most often referred to in the United States as a pound or as lb, but this can lead to confusion with the pound-mass.

Definition in terms of the SI unit of force

The newton (symbol: N) is the unit of force named in the International System of Units (SI). Using the standard average acceleration due to gravity, denoted gn, as being 9.80665 m/s2 and the internationally agreed upon definition of the pound-mass, denotes as lbm, as being 0.45359237 kg:[1][2]

Notes

  1. The symbol lbf is derived from the Latin libra for "pound" and the symbol f for "force")

References

  1. Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 Resolution of the 3rd meeting of the CGPM (1901) Definition of the standard average acceleration due to gravity
  2. Appendix 8, Customary System of Weights and Measures U.S. Dept. of Commerce, July 15, 1968. Definition of the pound-mass.