Which is greater; a force of 10N or a force of 5 lbs?

Question

mstoldegon · Answer

Answer: 5 lbs is greater.
A Newton (N) is 1 kg times 1 meter / second squared. The force due Gravity (an acceleration of 9.81 meters / second squared) on 1 kg produces a force 9.81 times greater than 1 Newton (1 kg x 9.8 m/sec**2 = 9.81 N). A pound is already a force that is acted upon by gravity.
The problem compares a 10N force with a force of 5 pounds. 10N is slightly larger than 9.81N (10N / 9.81N = 1.02). 1 kg times the acceleration of gravity equals a force of 2.2 lbs (or 9.81N). For comparison, 10 N equals approximately 2.24 lbs (2.2 lbs x 1.02).