The discussion revolves around a dynamics problem involving the conversion of weight to mass, specifically in the context of a spring system. The original poster is trying to determine the appropriate gravitational constant to use when converting 8 pounds of weight into mass, considering the measurements are in inches.
Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering various interpretations of the gravitational constants and discussing the necessity of unit consistency. Some have suggested converting all measurements to feet to avoid unit mismatch, indicating a productive direction in the conversation.
There is an emphasis on the importance of using consistent units, as the problem involves both weight in pounds and measurements in inches, which raises questions about the appropriateness of the gravitational constant selected for the conversion.
From what I gather on the basis of what you say, the weight of the mass is 8 pounds.edgarpokemon said:The mass had 8 pounds, and the spring constant was in inches, the measurements in inches. To find the weight, was i suppose to use 8/(386.4) or 8/(32.2)? the 386.4 is the value of gravity but in inches
sorry, i meant that the weight was 8 pounds. We were suppose to find the mass by dividing the weight by gravity or W/g.kuruman said:From what I gather on the basis of what you say, the weight of the mass is 8 pounds.
As far as I am aware, from dim recollection and a little web browsing, one pound force = one pound mass * g. So if the weight was 8 lb force then the mass was 8 lb mass.edgarpokemon said:sorry, i meant that the weight was 8 pounds. We were suppose to find the mass by dividing the weight by gravity or W/g.
right, sorry i meant slugs. well the problem had measurements in inches and the spring constant was inches, so is it correct find the slugs by using gravity but in inches? so 8/386.4?TomHart said:Or you could convert pounds to wretched slugs: m = w/g = 8/32.2 = 0.249 slugs
I think you need to state the whole problem, word for word.edgarpokemon said:right, sorry i meant slugs. well the problem had measurements in inches and the spring constant was inches, so is it correct find the slugs by using gravity but in inches? so 8/386.4?
I found this using Google: "A slug is defined as the mass that is accelerated by 1 ft/s2 when a force of one pound (lbf) is exerted on it."edgarpokemon said:right, sorry i meant slugs. well the problem had measurements in inches and the spring constant was inches, so is it correct find the slugs by using gravity but in inches? so 8/386.4?