2006-08-07 03:45:06 · 11 answers · asked by chulo 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
The question is "WHY is the nautical mile longer than the statute mile used to measure on land?"
The nautical mile was invented as a proportion of distance around the earth -- which was very useful for sailors in the British navy.
Here's how this English measure was arrived at:
1) going around the earth takes you 360 degrees (a circle)
2) each degree is divided into 60-equal "minutes"
3) The British labeled one minute of latitude (north to south) or one minute of longitude (east to west) at the equator a "nautical mile". (This makes measuring distance sailed much easier -- sailing 10 degrees south of the equator would be going 600 nautical miles.)
The British Admirality nautical mile was established in 1600 at 6,080 feet. (I believe it was labeled a "mile" because it was in kind and use most similar to the statute mile used on land.) More accurate measurement of the globe shows that one minute is, more preciesely, 6,076.115 ft. The latter distance is now the official "international nautical mile."
http://www.dublerfamily.com/nm.html
2006-08-07 04:02:19 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The regular land mile, the right name is - - statute mile, is 5480 feet.
The navy wanted a mile that has some connection with actual global features. They chose one sixtieth of a degree of latitude at the equater. That comes to 6040 feet.
They called it a nautical mile, or naut. Over time the naut was changes to knot.
2006-08-07 03:56:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A nautical mile is based on 1 minute longitude at the equator.
Land miles are based upon the British system of feet, yards and furlongs.
2006-08-07 03:51:06 · answer #3 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nautical miles. They're 1.15 miles. So a mile on land is the same as a mile on sea, but a mile on land isn't the same as a nautical mile on water.
2006-08-07 03:48:34 · answer #4 · answered by Jay Vee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mile is a mile wherever it is.
On the water a nautical mile is often used to measure distances but it's a different measurement unit to the convenional mile (1 nautical mile = 1.15 miles).
2006-08-07 03:49:05 · answer #5 · answered by Trevor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a mile is a mile no matter where you are.
A nautical mile is a nautical mile whether you are on land or not.
2006-08-07 03:48:54 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. PhD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's a nauticle mile, which is measured different.
2006-08-07 03:47:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
on water its a nauticle mile.
on land its a mile.
2006-08-07 03:47:17 · answer #8 · answered by digital genius 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nauticle miles, ann
2006-08-07 03:56:08 · answer #9 · answered by Andria K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
which weighs more, a ton of hay or a ton of gold?
2006-08-07 03:58:15 · answer #10 · answered by CJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋