Knowing how to convert units of speed is a crucial skill in many fields, from physics and engineering to everyday life. This guide will walk you through the process of converting 20 feet per second (ft/s) to miles per hour (mph), explaining the steps clearly and providing context for understanding the conversion.
Understanding the Units
Before diving into the calculation, let's clarify the units involved:
- Feet per second (ft/s): This measures speed as the distance traveled in feet during one second.
- Miles per hour (mph): This measures speed as the distance traveled in miles during one hour.
The conversion requires understanding the relationships between feet and miles, and seconds and hours.
The Conversion Factors
To convert 20 ft/s to mph, we need two key conversion factors:
- Feet to Miles: There are 5280 feet in one mile (5280 ft/mile).
- Seconds to Hours: There are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour, meaning there are 3600 seconds in an hour (3600 s/hr).
Calculating the Conversion
Here's the step-by-step calculation:
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Start with the initial speed: 20 ft/s
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Convert feet to miles: Multiply by the conversion factor (1 mile / 5280 feet):
20 ft/s * (1 mile / 5280 ft) = 20/5280 miles/s
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Convert seconds to hours: Multiply by the conversion factor (3600 s / 1 hr):
(20/5280 miles/s) * (3600 s/hr) = (20 * 3600) / 5280 miles/hr
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Simplify the fraction:
72000 / 5280 miles/hr ≈ 13.636 miles/hr
Therefore, 20 feet per second is approximately 13.64 miles per hour.
Practical Applications
Understanding unit conversions like this is essential in various real-world scenarios:
- Traffic Safety: Converting speeds from ft/s (often used in physics calculations) to mph (commonly used in traffic regulations) helps in understanding the implications of different speeds.
- Sports Analysis: Analyzing athlete performance often involves converting units of speed to get a clear picture of their velocity.
- Engineering and Construction: In designing and analyzing structures, converting units is vital for accurate calculations and safety considerations.
This detailed explanation should equip you with a comprehensive understanding of how to convert 20 feet per second to miles per hour and the practical significance of this conversion. Remember to always double-check your calculations and units to ensure accuracy.
