320ft/min^2 converted into meters/second^2?

Question

having trouble, the answer should come out to 0.027... i keep getting 1.6

Answer 1

(320ft/min^2)(1m/3.281ft)
(1min/60s)(1min/60s) = 0.027m/s^2
The calculation continues from the first line to the second line. The software doesn't allow you to write it all on one line. You need to divide by 60 twice. You're only dividing once, that's why you're getting 1.6

Answer 2

jsardi56 is correct and since he was first I will vote him as best answer. You can save a step by combining the last two terms as you think about such problems. Developing that skill now will make future (and harder) problems easier to solve.

While I cannot overstate the importance of being able to hand calculate a unit conversion, technology can save you a lot of time (provided that you are not required to show your work at this level of detail...I am assuming you are a student). Several HP calculators work with units quite nicely, in particular the 50g, 49g+, 48gii, 49g, 48gx, 48g, and 48sx models (if you plan to buy new, the 50g is the one to buy). The TI calculators do unit conversion too, but the HP's allow you to assign the units as you perform the calculations and automatically simplify the units as you go. Converting between one unit and another is trivially easy on this calculator as well.

Answer 3

If you are using simple calculator, then the steps will be:

1 ft = 12 inches = 12 x 2.54 x 10^ -2 m
320 ft = 320 x 12 x 2.54 x 10^ -2 m = 97.54m
1 minute = 60 s
1min x 1min = 3600 s^2
320 ft/ min2 = 97.54m / 3600 s^2 = 0.027 ms^ -2

Answer 4

1 feet=0.3072m
therefore 320feet=320*0.3072=98.304m
min^2=3600sec
therefore 320ft/min^2=98.304/3600=0.0273066666666.......m/sec^2

Answer 5

I Got 1.6 too