Kevin Gowen wrote:
> Ron Hitler Barrassi wrote:
> 
>>
>>
>> Kevin Gowen wrote:
>>
>>> Ron Hitler Barrassi wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ron Hitler Barrassi wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>> If that is the case, why did you suggest using a spring based 
>>>>>>> device to measure the downward force 
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Because I have heard of Hooke's Law.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> But not the gravitional constant apparently.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> when the correct way to measure force is it's effect on moving 
>>>>>>> *a* body of mass?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's "effect"? I don't even know what that is supposed to mean. 
>>>>>> Who says that a mass acted upon by a force must be in motion? Push 
>>>>>> against a building as hard as you can. The building does not move, 
>>>>>> but you are still exerting a force upon it.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> F=ma
>>>>>
>>>>> (I've highlighted the definite article to draw attention to your 
>>>>> misreading)
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I didn't elaborate on this point. You cannot use a spring to measure 
>>>> a force. 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Really? Don't tell Hooke.
>>>
>>>> It can only be used to measure weight (NB deliberate use of 
>>>> "weight", not "mass" not "force", but "weight". 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Weight is a force.
>>
>>
>>
>> Weight is a scalar. Force is a vector. 
> 
> 
> Weight, being a force and having magnitude and direction, is a vector.

and weight is measured in kilograms.

Game. Set. Match.
Thank you.

Must be tough for you playing against someone who is thinking 
several moves ahead.

Oh and when I jump out the building to test the bathroom scales 
as you suggested how much do I weigh?

> 
>> You don't weigh in the direction of anything.  
> 
> 
> In this planet, your weight is a force vector in the direction of the 
> earth's center of mass. This is why you place a scale beneath you rather 
> than on top of your head.
> 
>> As you are in Florida your weight is in a different direction to mine? 
>> (I'll let you off this one)
> 
> 
> Yes.
> 
>>>> A spring, like your tug of war rope, requires a force at both ends 
>>>> to expand, or contract.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yes. In the case of a bathroom scale that measures weight with a 
>>> spring, the person standing on the scale provides *the* force at one 
>>> end. The floor beneath the scale provides the force at the other end.
>>>
>>
>> You missed the definite article again.
> 
> 
> You called "a" the definite article again.

'the' is the definite article?

> 
>> If a force act on a spring the spring will accelerate off in the 
>> direction of the force. We would lose a lot of springs that way. 
> 
> 
> A force need not result in motion. Compress a spring between your thumb 
> and a finger. Force is acting on the spring, 

Forces are acting on the spring.

 From 2 directions, one from my finger and the other from my 
thumb. Two digits, two forces. (The opposite of your Not "a 
force", two forces. Equal and opposite, Newton's 3rd is 
satisfied. I can't compress a spring with one finger, sort of 
like one hand clapping. Really this is too easy. Take a break, Kevin.

> but strangely, it does not 
> go accelerating off into infinity.
> 
> You also may wish to drive an automobile into a brick wall at a high 
> velocity. You will exert a force on the wall, but it will not move.
> 
>> Newton's 3rd I believe.
> 
> 
> I only wish you would believe it.
> 

Newton's 3rd does not invent forces.

>> So it is measuring two forces? More magic forces appearing from nowhere.
> 
> 
> This is just too funny.

actually, it's quite sad.