Convert Pound-force Square Second/Foot (lbf·s²/ft) to Pound (Troy) (lb t) instantly.
About these units
Pound-force Square Second/Foot (lbf·s²/ft)
This unit is part of the British Gravitational System, where mass is defined from force rather than the other way around. It can be interpreted as an inertial mass unit, since applying 1 pound-force to it would produce an acceleration of 1 foot per second squared. Historically, before the SI system clarified the distinction between force and mass, engineering fields often used mixed systems where pounds could represent either force (lbf) or mass (lbm). The unit lbf·s²/ft was introduced to straighten out these ambiguities in dynamic calculations such as impact forces, mechanical oscillations, and safety load computations. Today, the unit survives mostly in engineering textbooks, legacy calculations, and historical documentation. It demonstrates how complex and inconsistent measurement systems once were, and why global scientific communities moved toward SI clarity.
Pound (Troy) (lb t)
The troy pound, equal to 12 troy ounces or 373.2417216 grams, is used almost exclusively in the precious metals trade. Unlike the avoirdupois pound used for everyday goods (16 ounces), the troy pound is optimized for precious materials such as gold, silver, and platinum. This system's origins trace back to medieval trade fairs in Troyes, France, a major commercial hub. Merchants needed a consistent unit to prevent fraud and facilitate international trading, especially for valuable metals. Today, although rarely encountered by the general public, the troy pound remains fundamental in metals pricing, refining, and numismatics. It provides continuity in a highly traditional economic sector where consistency over centuries is crucial.