2.1 Mass

The first property of a vehicle is its mass. The SI (Internation Standard, but in French) unit is kg (kilogram). In the U.S., mass is measured by ``pound''. Pound is really a measuring unit for force (we'll get to it). The relationship between kg and pound (for mass) is as follows:

One pound (force) is $\frac{1}{2.2}$ of a kg at one gravity pull. Reversing this relationship, one kg is 2.2 pound (mass). From now on, we should use kg for mass.

It's not that hard. A 1996 Miata is about 2200 pounds, that converts to about 1000kg.

The physics symbol for mass is ``m''.