RussellMc wrote: >>> Isp is units system independent >> >> Bzzt. Wrong again, I think :) >=20 > Often, maybe. > But not this time. >=20 > What I meant was that if you abuse the units so that the answer comes > out in "seconds", as "the industry" often does then Not really an abuse IMO, just using certain "convenient" units. > *If* 1 lbm of propellant has an Isp of 300 seconds when tested > *then* 1 kgm of it will have an Isp of 300 seconds using the same > (incorrect) reasoning > and 1 gram of it will have an Isp of 300 seconds, > etc. Understood. > My point was that by fudging the units they have effectively > eliminated the factor of g and made it essentially unity for this > purpose. Sort of... they didn't eliminate g; they require a unit system where g has the value of 1. > The units do NOT produce "seconds" when properly calculated but the > fudged system is units system independent. I disagree; IMO it is not units-system independent. It requires force and mass units specifically selected so that together they produce a g with the value of 1.=20 The fact that this (g) is hidden in the formula is IMO a (small, or big) disaster waiting to happen when using it... Gerhard --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .