Convert Poundal (pdl) to Kilogram-force Second/Meter (kgf·s²/m) instantly.
About these units
Poundal (pdl)
The poundal is the unit of force in the foot–pound–second (FPS) system, defined as the force that accelerates a one-pound mass at one foot per second squared. Although a force unit, it interacts with mass units in engineering contexts similarly to inertial mass units. Historically, poundals appeared in older physics textbooks and engineering references before the widespread adoption of SI units. Their use has declined dramatically, but they remain part of the history of classical mechanics education. The poundal exemplifies how many different systems attempted to rationalize force, mass, and acceleration before the international community converged on the SI newton.
Kilogram-force Second/Meter (kgf·s²/m)
This unusual unit represents a derived inertial mass-like quantity used in older engineering contexts based on gravitational force units rather than pure mass. One kilogram-force is the force exerted by gravity on a mass of one kilogram under standard gravity. When combined with s²/m, this creates a pseudo-mass unit used in engineering calculations involving dynamic systems. Although rarely used today, kgf·s²/m illustrates a transitional phase in engineering where gravitational and inertial concepts were intermixed before SI units standardized distinctions between mass and force.