Re: Standard Gravity

[John Denker <jsd@AV8N.COM>]

David Abineri wrote:
> Does anyone what this link refers to when giving an exact value of
> standard gravity?  I'm not quite sure what this really means?
>
> http://physics.nist.gov/cgi-bin/cuu/Value?gn

The fact that it's exact pretty much tells the tale.

It means next to nothing, except that some folks got together
and decided to define a convenient unit for measuring
acceleration.

It is *not* a constant of nature ... although it was picked
to be in the general ballpark of natural terrestrial surface
gravity.

It has the same standing as the _inch_, i.e. a non-SI unit
that is some goofy multiple of the corresponding SI unit.
There are some things that are conveniently measured in
inches, and some things that are conveniently measured in
Gees.  If it's not convenient for you, don't worry about
it.