Re: summary of weight

[Bob Sciamanda <trebor@VELOCITY.NET>]

----- Original Message -----
From: John Denker <jsd@MONMOUTH.COM>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 1999 5:10 PM
Subject: summary of weight


> . . .
> The definition can again be stated
>         weight = M * g
> but to achieve full generality we must define g to be the acceleration
of
> the chosen reference frame, relative to an instantaneously colocated
freely
> falling frame.
> . . .
> copyright (C) 1999 John S. Denker             jsd@monmouth.com

Can I choose ANY reference frame?  Eg., can I ask for the weight of an
orbiting astronaut in the "earth surface" frame?  Is he then weightless in
this frame?

Bob

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
http://www.velocity.net/~trebor