Posted by Darryl on January 08, 2000 at 12:54:04:
In Reply to: Re: Weight of Hubble posted by James R. Frysinger on January 06, 2000 at 00:32:14:
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> -Darryl, you are right on concerning weight and mass! I agree wholeheartedly. And in physics or engineering calculations where it really counts to keep those distinct, I do. Unfortunately, "weight" is commonly used to mean "mass" in everyday conversation and also in commerce; there is even documentation at the level of standards organizations that states this and allows it in those contexts. But that has nothing to do with the question I answered.
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> -I addressed the issue of whether there was a "unit" for 11 000 kg. In doing so, I carried along the terminology used by Ed Cheng in his message, to which I replied. I felt that Ed was really thinking in terms of mass when he said "weight", especially when he converted pounds to kilograms. But then, he was probably refering to pounds avoirdupois as opposed to pounds (force).
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> -And, AMEN!, again to the advantage of using the international metric system as compared to the American Hodgepodge of units, which are neither colonial, English, nor imperial, by the way!
OK Jim, The government says its okay to use the term weight when I (or others) mean mass. But, if this is allowed, how do I know when someone is using weight to mean weight, and when they are using weight to mean mass? Does Ed Cheng know what he was referring to when he said pounds?
How do I know when to relate pounds to kilograms, or to newtons? Am I suppose to guess and take the chance of being wrong? Most people who use pounds don't know whether pounds are weight or mass units. I'm sure they think weight, because that is the verb used with pounds; to weigh. And, I'm sure if you asked the person who used the word pounds, as to whether they meant weight or mass, the response would be: "Duh, I dunno!".
Let's not continue to use common errors just because everybody does it that way. If it is wrong, majority use does not make it right. Say it is wrong and insist that the right way be used.