Understanding Car Speed and Distance: Converting km/hr to m/s and Calculating Distances

Introduction

Understanding how to convert car speed from kilometers per hour (km/hr) to meters per second (m/s) and calculating the distance covered in seconds is a fundamental skill in physics. This article will guide you through these conversions and calculations using practical examples.

Converting Speed from km/hr to m/s

.speed calculations are commonly required in various applications, from physics problems to real-world scenarios such as traffic management. To convert a speed from km/hr to m/s, you can use the following formula:

Speed (m/s) Speed (km/hr) times; (1000 m / 3600 s)

Let’s illustrate this with an example:

Example 1: A car is running at 100 km/hr

First, convert the speed from km/hr to m/s: 100 km/hr 100 times; (1000 / 3600) 27.78 m/s

Calculating Distance Covered in a Given Time

Once you have the speed in m/s, you can calculate the distance covered in a given time using the formula:

Distance (m) Speed (m/s) times; Time (s)

Example 2: Distance covered in 10 seconds at 100 km/hr

1. Convert the speed to m/s:

100 km/hr 27.78 m/s

2. Calculate the distance covered in 10 seconds:

Distance 27.78 m/s times; 10 s 277.8 m

So, a car running at 100 km/hr will cover approximately 277.8 meters in 10 seconds.

Additional Examples and Tips

Example 3: Car speed of 90 km/hr in 15 seconds

1. Convert the speed to m/s:

90 km/hr 25 m/s

2. Calculate the distance covered in 15 seconds:

Distance 25 m/s times; 15 s 375 meters

Example 4: Car speed of 120 km/hr in 10 seconds

1. Convert the speed to m/s:

120 km/hr 33.33 m/s

2. Calculate the distance covered in 10 seconds:

Distance 33.33 m/s times; 10 s 333.3 meters

Another way to express the same result:

10 seconds 1/360 hour

distance speed times; time

120 km/h times; 1/360 hour 0.333 km 333.3 meters

Additional Tip

To convert the speed of 120 km/hr to m/s:

120 km/hr 120000 meters / 3600 seconds 33.33 m/s

For 10 seconds:

Distance 33.33 m/s times; 10 s 333.3 meters

This confirms our previous calculation and highlights the importance of using consistent units for clarity and accuracy.

Conclusion

Mastering the conversion from km/hr to m/s and distance calculations is crucial for understanding and applying basic physics principles. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and accurately calculate the distance covered by a car in various timeframes, enhancing both your problem-solving skills and your practical knowledge.