In engineering, how is force typically measured?

Force is commonly measured in Newtons, which is the standard unit of force in the International System of Units (SI). A Newton is defined as the amount of force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared. This aligns well with Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F=ma).

While "pounds" can also be used to measure force, it is important to note that the unit of "pounds in tons" mixes different units and may not accurately represent force on its own. Instead, force should be expressed in pounds-force or newtons, depending on the measuring system used. Kilograms, while a unit of mass, does not directly quantify force, and Joules measure energy, not force. Hence, these units cannot be used interchangeably with force measurements.