Re: [Phys-l] PER folks and units of g

["LaMontagne, Bob" <RLAMONT@providence.edu>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Ludwik Kowalski
> Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 10:58 AM
> To: Forum for Physics Educators
> Subject: Re: [Phys-l] PER folks and units of g
>
>
> My approach was to define new units in terms of basic units only,
which
> are kg, m and s. The unit of force, N, is not basic. That is why N/kg
> is only an abbreviation, as far as the unit of acceleration is
> concerned.

N/kg is not very descriptive as an acceleration unit - hard to find a
reason for using it. I think it is best to reserve it for a unit of
gravitational field. 

Also, I agree with others who have used a_g for the acceleration of a
free falling object and g for field. Using g for both leads to
unnecessary confusion.

Bob at PC