Mass, Weight and the local acceleration due to gravity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating local acceleration due to gravity and understanding mass and weight relationships. The user calculated the local acceleration of gravity as 0.963 ft/s² using the formula F=ma, but questioned its validity given the expected value of 32.174 ft/s². They also noted that the mass was already provided as 150 lb, leading to confusion when calculating weight, which resulted in an unusually high value of 4826 lbf. The user is seeking clarification on their calculations and whether they misinterpreted the problem's requirements. The hint suggests considering a different weight to reassess the calculations.
Northbysouth
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Homework Statement


A person whose mass is 150lb weighs 144.4 lbf. Determine a) the local acceleration of gravity, in ft/s2, and b) the persons mass, in lb and weight, in lbf, if g = 32.174 ft/s2


Homework Equations


F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


A) Using F=ma I got

144.4 lbf = (150lb)a
a = 0.963 ft/s2

My answer seems kinda low. Am I missing something?

b) F=ma

mass = 150lb

F = (150lb)(32.174 ft/sec2)
F = weight = 4826 lbf

I also feel like I'm missing something here as well, especially as it asks for the mass, which is already given. Am I misreading the question or something?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
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Hint: if you'd been told the person weighed just a little more, 150 lbf, what would the answer have been?
 
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