Knots (knot) to Feet per second (ft/s) conversion

Knots to Feet per second conversion table

Knots (knot)Feet per second (ft/s)
00
11.6878096500826
23.3756193001651
35.0634289502477
46.7512386003303
58.4390482504129
610.126857900495
711.814667550578
813.502477200661
915.190286850743
1016.878096500826
2033.756193001651
3050.634289502477
4067.512386003303
5084.390482504129
60101.26857900495
70118.14667550578
80135.02477200661
90151.90286850743
100168.78096500826
10001687.8096500826

How to convert knots to feet per second?

Here's a breakdown of how to convert between knots and feet per second, including the formulas, examples, and some background information.

Understanding Knots and Feet per Second

Knots and feet per second are both units of speed, but used in different contexts. A knot is primarily used in maritime and aviation contexts to measure speed, while feet per second is a more general unit of speed. The conversion is a fixed ratio, and doesn't depend on base 10 or base 2.

Conversion Formulas

  • Knots to Feet per Second:

    1 knot=1.68781 feet per second1 \text{ knot} = 1.68781 \text{ feet per second}

  • Feet per Second to Knots:

    1 foot per second=0.592484 knots1 \text{ foot per second} = 0.592484 \text{ knots}

Step-by-Step Conversion Instructions

Converting Knots to Feet per Second

  1. Start with the speed in knots.

  2. Multiply the speed in knots by 1.68781.

    • This will give you the equivalent speed in feet per second.

    Equation:

    Speed in feet per second=Speed in knots×1.68781\text{Speed in feet per second} = \text{Speed in knots} \times 1.68781

    Example:

    1 knot=1×1.68781=1.68781 feet per second1 \text{ knot} = 1 \times 1.68781 = 1.68781 \text{ feet per second}

Converting Feet per Second to Knots

  1. Start with the speed in feet per second.

  2. Multiply the speed in feet per second by 0.592484.

    • This will give you the equivalent speed in knots.

    Equation:

    Speed in knots=Speed in feet per second×0.592484\text{Speed in knots} = \text{Speed in feet per second} \times 0.592484

    Example:

    1 foot per second=1×0.592484=0.592484 knots1 \text{ foot per second} = 1 \times 0.592484 = 0.592484 \text{ knots}

Historical Context and Interesting Facts

  • Definition of a Knot: A knot is defined as one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is approximately equal to one minute of latitude along any meridian. This definition has historical roots in navigation.
  • Origin: The term "knot" originates from the practice of sailors measuring the speed of their ship by using a rope with knots tied at regular intervals. The rope was trailed behind the ship, and the number of knots that passed over the stern in a specific time was counted to determine the ship's speed. (Mile vs. knot)

Real-World Examples

Here are some examples of converting speeds commonly encountered in different scenarios:

  • Speedboat: A speedboat traveling at 40 knots: 40 knots×1.68781=67.5124 feet per second40 \text{ knots} \times 1.68781 = 67.5124 \text{ feet per second}

  • Sailboat: A sailboat moving at 8 knots: 8 knots×1.68781=13.50248 feet per second8 \text{ knots} \times 1.68781 = 13.50248 \text{ feet per second}

  • Airplane: An airplane landing at 120 knots: 120 knots×1.68781=202.5372 feet per second120 \text{ knots} \times 1.68781 = 202.5372 \text{ feet per second}

  • Hurricane: A hurricane with winds at 100 knots: 100 knots×1.68781=168.781 feet per second100 \text{ knots} \times 1.68781 = 168.781 \text{ feet per second}

  • A brisk walk: Converting a walking speed of 5 feet per second:

    5 feet per second×0.592484=2.96242 knots5 \text{ feet per second} \times 0.592484 = 2.96242 \text{ knots}

See below section for step by step unit conversion with formulas and explanations. Please refer to the table below for a list of all the Feet per second to other unit conversions.

What is knots?

Knots are a common unit of speed, particularly in maritime and aviation contexts. Understanding its definition, origin, and applications is useful in various fields.

Definition of a Knot

A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. A nautical mile is defined as the average length of one minute of latitude along a meridian.

  • 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour
  • 1 nautical mile ≈ 1.15078 statute miles (land miles)
  • 1 nautical mile ≈ 1.852 kilometers

Origin and History

The term "knot" has nautical origins predating modern navigation tools. In the days of sail, ships used a device called a "common log" to measure their speed. This consisted of a wooden panel attached to a long rope. The rope had knots tied at regular intervals. The log was tossed overboard, and as the ship moved away, sailors counted the number of knots that unspooled in a specific time.

The number of knots counted in that predetermined time interval was the ship's speed, hence the term "knots."

Why Nautical Miles?

Nautical miles are used at sea because they are directly related to the earth's coordinates of longitude and latitude. One degree of latitude, which is the angular distance north or south of the equator, is about 60 nautical miles. So a ship traveling one nautical mile north or south changes its latitude by one minute. This makes navigation easier.

Real-World Examples and Applications

  • Shipping: Cargo ships and tankers often travel at speeds of 15-25 knots.
  • Sailing: Recreational sailboats typically move at speeds of 5-15 knots, depending on wind conditions.
  • Aviation: While aircraft speed is commonly reported in Mach number or kilometers per hour, wind speed is reported in knots, especially by air traffic controllers.
  • Fishing: Fishing boats also rely on knots to measure their speed.
  • Weather Forecasting: Wind speeds in weather reports, especially those pertaining to maritime conditions, are often given in knots.

Notable Figures and Events

While no single person is directly associated with the invention of the knot as a unit, its development is tied to the history of seafaring and navigation. Navigators such as Captain James Cook and others who charted the world's oceans relied on accurate speed measurements using knots.

Formula and Conversion

While the knot is a unit of speed itself, conversion to other units can be useful:

  • Knots to miles per hour (mph): mph=knots×1.15078mph = knots \times 1.15078
  • Knots to kilometers per hour (km/h): km/h=knots×1.852km/h = knots \times 1.852

Interesting Facts

  • Knots are used internationally in maritime and aviation contexts.
  • The symbol for knot is "kn".
  • The term "knot" is unique in that it is both the unit and the plural (e.g., "1 knot," "20 knots").

Conclusion

The knot is a practical and historically significant unit of speed, essential for navigation and weather forecasting in maritime and aviation fields. Its continued use reflects its convenience and connection to nautical traditions.

What is Feet per Second?

Feet per second (fps) is a unit of speed expressing the distance in feet traveled per second. It's commonly used in various fields, including sports, engineering, and meteorology, to quantify how fast an object is moving.

Formation of Feet per Second

Feet per second is derived from two fundamental units:

  • Feet (ft): A unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems.
  • Second (s): The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI).

The unit is formed by dividing a distance measured in feet by a time measured in seconds:

Speed=Distance (ft)Time (s)\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance (ft)}}{\text{Time (s)}}

Real-World Examples and Applications

  • Sports: A baseball pitch can reach speeds of 90-100 mph, which is approximately 132-147 fps.
  • Meteorology: Wind speed is often measured in feet per second, especially in aviation and weather forecasting. For example, a moderate breeze might be around 15-20 fps.
  • Engineering: Calculating the speed of a vehicle or fluid flow in a pipe. For instance, water flowing through a pipe at 10 fps.
  • Ballistics: Measuring the muzzle velocity of a bullet, which can range from 800 fps to over 3000 fps depending on the firearm and ammunition.

Relationship to Other Speed Units

Feet per second can be converted to other common units of speed using the following relationships:

  • Miles per hour (mph): 1 fps ≈ 0.681818 mph
  • Meters per second (m/s): 1 fps ≈ 0.3048 m/s
  • Kilometers per hour (km/h): 1 fps ≈ 1.09728 km/h

Notable Associations and Facts

While there isn't a specific law or person directly associated with the invention or formalization of feet per second, its usage is deeply ingrained in fields that involve motion and speed measurements.

  • Galileo Galilei: His work on motion and free fall laid the groundwork for understanding speed and acceleration, though he didn't use the modern unit of feet per second.
  • Speed of Sound: At sea level and 20°C, the speed of sound is approximately 1125 fps. This is a critical value in acoustics and aerodynamics. Read more about speed of sound from NASA Glenn Research Center.

Quick Conversions

Here are some common speeds converted to feet per second:

  • 30 mph ≈ 44 fps
  • 60 mph ≈ 88 fps
  • 100 mph ≈ 146.67 fps

Complete Knots conversion table

Enter # of Knots
Convert 1 knot to other unitsResult
Knots to Metres per second (knot to m/s)0.51444424416
Knots to Kilometres per hour (knot to km/h)1.851999278976
Knots to Millimeters per hour (knot to mm/h)1851999.278976
Knots to Miles per hour (knot to mph)1.150779
Knots to Feet per second (knot to ft/s)1.6878096500826
Knots to Feet per minute (knot to ft/min)101.2688760604
Knots to Inches per hour (knot to in/h)72926.425855513