Foot per second to Speed of light Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert feet per second to speed of light with our free online speed converter.
Foot per second to Speed of light Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Foot per second).
- The converted value in Speed of light 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 Speed of light
Converting Foot per second to Speed of light involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Foot per second = 1.0167e-9 speed of lightExample Calculation:
Convert 60 feet per second: 60 × 1.0167e-9 = 6.1002e-8 speed of light
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 Speed of light?
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 speed of light in vacuum, commonly denoted by 'c', is a universal physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its exact value is defined as 299,792,458 meters per second.
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 Speed of light belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Foot per second and Speed of light
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 concept that light travels at a finite speed has been explored since antiquity. Early quantitative estimates were made by Ole Rømer in 1676. Increasingly accurate measurements were made over centuries, culminating in the 1983 definition by the General Conference on Weights and Measures, which fixed the speed of light to its current value, thereby defining the meter based on 'c' and the second.
Common Uses for feet per second and speed of light
Explore the typical applications for both Foot per second (imperial/US) and Speed of light (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 speed of light
- Physics: Fundamental constant in Einstein's theory of relativity (E=mc²), electromagnetism, and cosmology.
- Astronomy: Measuring vast cosmic distances (light-years).
- Telecommunications: Determining signal propagation speed in fiber optics and wireless communication.
- GPS: Accurate timing based on signal travel time from satellites.
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 Speed of light (c)
Is the speed of light always the same?
The speed of light in vacuum (c) is constant and independent of the observer's motion or the source's motion. However, light travels slower when passing through materials like water or glass. The ratio by which it slows down is the material's refractive index.
Can anything travel faster than the speed of light?
According to the theory of special relativity, no object with mass can be accelerated to the speed of light, and no information can travel faster than 'c' in a vacuum.
How is the speed of light related to the meter?
Since 1983, the meter is defined as the distance light travels in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second. This definition fixes the speed of light exactly.
Conversion Table: Foot per second to Speed of light
| Foot per second (ft/s) | Speed of light (c) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
| 25 | 0 |
| 50 | 0 |
| 100 | 0 |
| 500 | 0 |
| 1,000 | 0 |
All Speed Conversions
Conversion Formula
1 ft/s = 1.016703e-9 c
Where 1 Foot per second (ft/s) equals the calculated value in speed of light (c).