A car is traveling at 40 mph. What is the speed in meters per second?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To convert a speed of 40 miles per hour (mph) to meters per second (m/s), the following conversion factors are used:
- 1 mile = 1,609.34 meters
- 1 hour = 3,600 seconds
The conversion process involves two steps. First, we convert miles to meters, and then convert hours to seconds.
- Convert miles to meters:
40 miles × 1,609.34 meters/mile = 64,373.6 meters - Convert hours to seconds:
1 hour = 3,600 seconds, so:
40 mph = 40 miles/hour × (1 hour / 3,600 seconds) = 40 / 3,600 seconds = 0.0111 hours
Now, using these, we can calculate the speed in meters per second:
40 mph = 64,373.6 meters / 3,600 seconds = 17.93 meters per second
Therefore, a car traveling at 40 miles per hour is moving at approximately 17.93 meters per second.
Why this is important:
This conversion is useful in situations where more accurate or standardized units are required. For example, in physics or engineering calculations, it’s often necessary to express speed in meters per second, as it is the standard unit in the metric system for velocity. Speed in mph may also be converted to m/s when analyzing motion in terms of time or distance, especially in scientific experiments or when dealing with high precision.
Additionally, understanding unit conversions helps in comparing different measurements. Knowing how to convert between different systems of measurement ensures the correct interpretation of data, whether for international collaboration, global transportation, or scientific research.