[rdouglass]

Hey guys, we're NOT talking about weight here, but rather MASS. Weight only is a measure of FORCE. In other words, in different gravities, the same mass weights differently. In fact, if you could measure it precisely, you weigh less on top of a mountain than you do at sea level. The gravity changes as you move further from the "center" of the planet (or body). I know some of you are going to get me 'cause this doesn't keep its accuracy once you get below the surface - the gravity changes based on a complex mathematical formula.

Reguardless, the displacement of water on a ship has to do with WEIGHT and not mass. In space, they don't "displace" a vaccum. Rather the mass is an absolute. And based on Newtonian physics (that's the one I use), the force needed to move an object has to do with MASS and other forces and nothing to do with WEIGHT. Someone else said it more elegantly than me earlier, but that is the bottom line.

Peersonally, I think the size of the ships in kT's has to do with how strong the actual hull is and not it's size. Theoretically, you could attach infinite components to a structure in space (there is no WEIGHT). However moving the object would / could require tremendous sheer strength by the structure to hold them all together while accelerating (which is what engines do).

[This message has been edited by rdouglass (edited 19 January 2001).]