Re: F=m*a, was Thermodynamics

[brian whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 13:04 8/30/01 -0500, Rick Tarara wrote:
/snip/
> _define_ a 1 N force as that force which accelerates 1 kg at 1 m/s^2, why
> can't I also define a 1 N force as that force which suspends a .098 kg mass
/snip/
> Rick
>
> **********************************************
> Richard W. Tarara

It seems to me that it is a reasonable objection to note that the mass
suspended near Earth by a 1 Newton force is variable - depending on the
local value of g and the local value of surface speed and the local density
of air, etc., etc. - so that the mass needs to be specified as about 0.102
kilograms.
   This takes away from the precision one would want to associate with
definitions.

Brian W

brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>  Altus OK
                Eureka!