Re: [Phys-L] kinematics objectives

["Rauber, Joel" <Joel.Rauber@SDSTATE.EDU>]

I'll disagree that "the force of gravity" is a good euphemism for weight and vice-versa.

Using them for euphemisms of each other is the main source, IMO, for the interminable discussion regarding the definition of weight that have occurred on these discussion lists ad nauseam since I first started subscribing.

To whit:

F_g = the force of gravity = GMm/r^2 pointing  to the center of the earth (in a earth context situation) according to many people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_law_of_universal_gravitation


Weight = mass times free fall acceleration as measured in a relevant reference frame according to many people
http://www.av8n.com/physics/weight.htm#sec-def
http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP811/sec08.html#8.3 (see section 8.3)
Am. J. Phys. 63, 105 (1995); doi: 10.1119/1.17990
Am. J. Phys. 30, 387 (1962); doi: 10.1119/1.1942032


|-----Original Message-----
|From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@phys-l.org] On Behalf Of John Denker
|Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 10:09 AM
|To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
|Subject: Re: [Phys-L] kinematics objectives
|
|On 05/09/2013 06:08 AM, Philip Keller wrote:
|> I am going to reword the section to remove the term "weight" and
|> replace it with "the earth pulling on the object".
|
|Another good euphemism for "weight" (W) is _"the force of gravity"_ (F sub
|g).
|