If a vehicle is traveling at 36 km/h, what is its speed in meters per second?

Study for the NCEA Level 2 Mechanics Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

To convert a speed given in kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per second (m/s), you can use the conversion factor that 1 km/h is equal to approximately 0.27778 m/s.

First, you need to recognize that there are 1,000 meters in a kilometer and 3,600 seconds in an hour. Therefore, the conversion formula can be derived as follows:

1 km/h = ( \frac{1000 \text{ meters}}{3600 \text{ seconds}} ) = ( \frac{1000}{3600} ) = ( \frac{1}{3.6} ) m/s.

To convert 36 km/h to m/s:

36 km/h × ( \frac{1000 \text{ meters}}{3600 \text{ seconds}} ) = 36 × 0.27778 = 10 m/s (approximately).

This calculation shows that 36 km/h is equal to around 10 m/s, confirming that the correct choice is indeed 10 m/s, not 12 m/s as proposed.

Thus, the correct answer should reflect this conversion, ensuring that the understanding of unit conversion from kilometers per hour to meters