Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Systems of measure either define mass and derive a force unit or define a base force and derive a mass unit [1] (cf. poundal, a derived unit of force in a mass-based system). A slug is defined as a mass that is accelerated by 1 ft/s 2 when a net force of one pound (lbf) is exerted on it. [2]
Units for other physical quantities are derived from this set as needed. In English Engineering Units, the pound-mass and the pound-force are distinct base units, and Newton's Second Law of Motion takes the form = where is the acceleration in ft/s 2 and g c = 32.174 lb·ft/(lbf·s 2).
Another variant of the FPS system uses both the pound-mass and the pound-force, but neither the slug nor the poundal. The resulting system is sometimes also known as the English engineering system. Despite its name, the system is based on United States customary units of measure; it is not used in England. [6]
The pound-force is equal to the gravitational force exerted on a mass of one avoirdupois pound on the surface of Earth.Since the 18th century, the unit has been used in low-precision measurements, for which small changes in Earth's gravity (which varies from equator to pole by up to half a percent) can safely be neglected.
Since a pound of force (pound force) accelerates a pound of mass at 32.174 049 ft/s 2 (9.80665 m/s 2; the acceleration of gravity, g), we can scale down the unit of force to compensate, giving us one that accelerates 1 pound mass at 1 ft/s 2 rather than at 32.174 049 ft/s 2; and that is the poundal, which is approximately 1 ⁄ 32 pound force.
The foot-pound force (symbol: ft⋅lbf, [1] ft⋅lb f, [2] or ft⋅lb [3]) is a unit of work or energy in the engineering and gravitational systems in United States customary and imperial units of measure. It is the energy transferred upon applying a force of one pound-force (lbf) through a linear displacement of one foot.
Get AOL Mail for FREE! Manage your email like never before with travel, photo & document views. Personalize your inbox with themes & tabs. You've Got Mail!
In unit systems where force is a derived unit, like in SI units, g c is equal to 1. In unit systems where force is a primary unit, like in imperial and US customary measurement systems , g c may or may not equal 1 depending on the units used, and value other than 1 may be required to obtain correct results. [ 2 ]