What is kg wt?

1. sphyics

103
i know its a unit for force... i'm intrigued by the relation 1kgwt=9.8N?

by dimensional analysis

L.H.s [M2L1T-2 {since wt=kgm/s2}
R.H.S [M1L1T-2
i understand i'm wrong somewhere, but i'm not able to figure it out, so pls help me :)

Also how to get the relation between both.( think 9.8 is the contribution of 'g')

Staff: Mentor

You interpreted kg wt as mass*weight. A kilogram weight is a unit of force. Specifically, it is the force needed to make a mass of 1 kg accelerate by 9.80665 m/s2.

3. sphyics

103
yes

and how to get the relation 1kgwt=9.8N mathematically.

Staff: Mentor

You can't derive it. The kilogram-force (sometimes called the kilogram-wt) is defined as the force needed to make a one kilogram of mass accelerate by 9.80665 m/s2.

5. jack action

869
1 kgwt means the "weight of a mass of 1 kg on earth". So:

W = ma = (1 kg)(9.81 m/s²) = 9.81 N = 1 kgwt

kgwt is an arbitrary defined unit for force, just like 1 lb = 4.448 N

6. sphyics

103
Thanks for ur explanation now i understand