180 cm/min to miles/s
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
180 cm/min = 0.0000186 miles/second
Explanation:
To convert 180 centimeters per minute (cm/min) to miles per second (mi/s), follow a step-by-step process using unit conversions.
Step 1: Convert centimeters to miles
There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 1609.34 meters in a mile. This means:
1 mile = 1609.34 × 100 = 160934 centimeters
Now divide:
180 cm ÷ 160934 = 0.0011188 miles per minute
Step 2: Convert minutes to seconds
There are 60 seconds in 1 minute, so:
0.0011188 miles per minute ÷ 60 = 0.0000186467 miles per second
Rounded to seven significant figures, this is:
0.0000186 miles/second
Understanding the Context
This conversion demonstrates how a relatively large unit (miles) compares with a much smaller one (centimeters). Since 1 mile is over 160,000 centimeters, converting a small number of centimeters per minute into miles per second results in a very small number.
This kind of conversion is useful in fields like physics and engineering, where consistent units are important. For example, if a machine or robot moves 180 cm per minute, and a scientist wants to compare its speed to larger-scale movement (like car speeds or orbital velocities), converting to miles per second provides meaningful context.
The conversion process also shows the importance of dimensional analysis in scientific calculations. By multiplying and dividing units carefully, the proper answer can be obtained while avoiding unit errors.