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Foot Pounds Equation:
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Foot pounds (ft-lb) is a unit of work or energy in the English Engineering and British Gravitational systems. It represents the amount of energy transferred when a force of one pound-force acts through a displacement of one foot.
The calculator uses the simple equation:
Where:
Explanation: This calculation represents the work done when a constant force is applied over a linear distance.
Details: Foot pounds is commonly used in various fields including mechanical engineering, ballistics, and physics to measure energy, torque, and work. It's particularly important in firearms to measure muzzle energy and in mechanical systems to calculate work output.
Tips: Enter force in pounds (lb) and distance in feet (ft). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What's the difference between ft-lb and lb-ft?
A: While sometimes used interchangeably, ft-lb typically refers to energy (work) while lb-ft typically refers to torque. They have the same units but represent different physical concepts.
Q2: How does ft-lb relate to other energy units?
A: 1 ft-lb equals approximately 1.35582 joules in the SI system. It's also equal to about 0.00128507 BTU.
Q3: Where is ft-lb commonly used?
A: This unit is commonly used in the United States and United Kingdom for engineering applications, firearms energy measurement, and mechanical work calculations.
Q4: Can I use this for torque calculations?
A: While the units are the same, torque is a rotational force and requires different considerations. This calculator is specifically for linear work/energy calculations.
Q5: How precise should my measurements be?
A: For most applications, measurements to one decimal place are sufficient. For scientific or engineering purposes, greater precision may be required.