Foot per second to Mach number Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert feet per second to Mach numbers with our free online speed converter.
Foot per second to Mach number Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Foot per second).
- The converted value in Mach number will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Speed category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Foot per second to Mach number
Converting Foot per second to Mach number involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Foot per second = 0.00088863 Mach numbersExample Calculation:
Convert 60 feet per second: 60 × 0.00088863 = 0.0533178 Mach numbers
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Foot per second and a Mach number?
Feet per second (ft/s, fps, or ft/sec) is a unit of speed in the imperial and US customary systems. It measures the distance in feet traveled in one second.
The Mach number (M or Ma) is a dimensionless quantity in fluid dynamics representing the ratio of flow velocity past a boundary to the local speed of sound. It is named after Austrian physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach.
Note: The Foot per second is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Mach number belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Foot per second and Mach number
The foot as a unit of length has ancient origins, and the second became standardized more recently. Feet per second emerged as a logical unit for measuring speed in contexts where feet were the standard measure of distance, particularly before widespread metrication.
The term "Mach number" was proposed by Swiss aeronautical engineer Jakob Ackeret in 1929. It gained prominence during World War II with the development of high-speed aircraft. The sound barrier (Mach 1) was famously broken by Chuck Yeager in 1947.
Common Uses for feet per second and Mach numbers
Explore the typical applications for both Foot per second (imperial/US) and Mach number (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for feet per second
- Physics & Engineering (Imperial/US): Used in calculations involving velocity and acceleration in systems using imperial units, particularly in older texts or specific industries (e.g., some aerospace applications).
- Ballistics: Often used to measure the muzzle velocity of firearms.
- Fluid Dynamics (Imperial/US): Can be used to express the speed of fluid flow in pipes or channels in US customary units.
- Some Scientific Instruments: Certain instruments might output readings in ft/s depending on their design and intended application region.
Common Uses for Mach numbers
- Aerospace: Describing the speed of aircraft and spacecraft relative to the speed of sound (subsonic, transonic, supersonic, hypersonic).
- Fluid Dynamics: Analyzing high-speed flows in wind tunnels, jet engines, and rocket nozzles.
- Ballistics: Characterizing the speed of projectiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Foot per second (ft/s)
Is ft/s commonly used for everyday speed?
No, miles per hour (mph) is much more common for everyday speeds (like driving) in countries using the imperial/US customary system. ft/s is more technical.
Is ft/s an SI unit?
No, it belongs to the imperial and US customary systems. The SI unit for speed is meters per second (m/s).
How do you convert ft/s to mph?
Divide the speed in ft/s by 1.46667. So, 88 ft/s is approximately 60 mph.
How do you convert ft/s to m/s?
Multiply the speed in ft/s by 0.3048. So, 10 ft/s is equal to 3.048 m/s.
About Mach number (Mach)
What does Mach 1 mean?
Mach 1 represents the speed of sound in the surrounding medium under specific conditions (temperature, pressure, altitude). At standard sea level conditions (15°C and 1 atm), Mach 1 is approximately 343 meters per second (1,235 km/h; 767 mph).
Is the speed of Mach 1 constant?
No, the speed of sound varies primarily with temperature. It decreases at higher altitudes where the air is colder. Therefore, the actual speed corresponding to Mach 1 changes with altitude and atmospheric conditions.
What are the different speed regimes related to Mach number?
- Subsonic: M < 0.8
- Transonic: 0.8 ≤ M < 1.2
- Supersonic: 1.2 ≤ M < 5
- Hypersonic: M ≥ 5
Conversion Table: Foot per second to Mach number
| Foot per second (ft/s) | Mach number (Mach) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 5 | 0.004 |
| 10 | 0.009 |
| 25 | 0.022 |
| 50 | 0.044 |
| 100 | 0.089 |
| 500 | 0.444 |
| 1,000 | 0.889 |
All Speed Conversions
Conversion Formula
1 ft/s = 0.000889 Mach
Where 1 Foot per second (ft/s) equals the calculated value in Mach numbers (Mach).