Poundal

The expression “poundal” is sometimes used in connection with calculations in mechanics. Many mechanical handbooks, however, do not define it, because of its limited use. A poundal is a unit of force, and is defined as that force which, acting on a mass of one pound for one second, produces a velocity of one foot per second. A foot-poundal is a unit of energy equal to the energy resulting when a force of one poundal acts through a distance of one foot. In order to reduce foot-poundals to foot-pounds, multiply the number of foot-poundals by 0.03108. Dividing the number of foot-poundals by 32.16 (acceleration due to gravity) will also give foot-pounds.