Foot per minute (ft/min) is a fascinating unit of speed often used in specialized fields such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems to measure airflow and in other engineering applications. Interestingly, the roots of this unit can be traced back to the historical origins of the foot as a measurement, which dates back to ancient Egypt where the “royal foot” was utilized. Over centuries, various civilizations have adopted and adapted the foot, leading to the version we use today.
While it might seem esoteric, ft/min is crucial for ensuring precise calibrations and ensuring optimal efficiency in engineering contexts. For example, it is heavily relied upon to ensure the right amount of air changes per hour in room ventilation, directly affecting air quality and energy efficiency. Understanding and utilizing this unit connects us to a broader narrative of measurement evolution and technical precision.
Metres per second (m/s) may seem inconspicuous, but it plays a critical role in understanding speed and velocity in scientific contexts. The unit underpins numerous fundamental concepts in physics and engineering, such as calculating the speed of sound at approximately 343 m/s in air at room temperature. This speed metric is also central to space exploration, where spacecraft velocity is often measured in meters per second to ensure precision in navigation and successful missions.
Beyond Earth, Jupiter’s moon, Io, erupts volcanic plumes that reach speeds of over 1,000 m/s, showcasing this unit’s application in celestial phenomena. Transitioning to daily life, elite athletes can clock speeds around 10 m/s during sprints, a testament to human capability. By providing a consistent metric, meters per second serves as a universal bridge across varied disciplines and contexts.
| Feet per minute | Metres per second |
|---|---|
0
ft/min
|
0
m/s
|
10
ft/min
|
0.0507998
m/s
|
20
ft/min
|
0.1016
m/s
|
30
ft/min
|
0.1524
m/s
|
40
ft/min
|
0.203199
m/s
|
50
ft/min
|
0.253999
m/s
|
60
ft/min
|
0.304799
m/s
|
70
ft/min
|
0.355599
m/s
|
80
ft/min
|
0.406399
m/s
|
90
ft/min
|
0.457199
m/s
|
100
ft/min
|
0.507998
m/s
|
110
ft/min
|
0.558798
m/s
|
120
ft/min
|
0.609598
m/s
|
130
ft/min
|
0.660398
m/s
|
140
ft/min
|
0.711198
m/s
|
150
ft/min
|
0.761998
m/s
|
160
ft/min
|
0.812797
m/s
|
170
ft/min
|
0.863597
m/s
|
180
ft/min
|
0.914397
m/s
|
190
ft/min
|
0.965197
m/s
|
200
ft/min
|
1.016
m/s
|
210
ft/min
|
1.0668
m/s
|
220
ft/min
|
1.1176
m/s
|
230
ft/min
|
1.1684
m/s
|
240
ft/min
|
1.2192
m/s
|
250
ft/min
|
1.27
m/s
|
260
ft/min
|
1.3208
m/s
|
270
ft/min
|
1.3716
m/s
|
280
ft/min
|
1.4224
m/s
|
290
ft/min
|
1.4732
m/s
|
300
ft/min
|
1.524
m/s
|
310
ft/min
|
1.57479
m/s
|
320
ft/min
|
1.62559
m/s
|
330
ft/min
|
1.67639
m/s
|
340
ft/min
|
1.72719
m/s
|
350
ft/min
|
1.77799
m/s
|
360
ft/min
|
1.82879
m/s
|
370
ft/min
|
1.87959
m/s
|
380
ft/min
|
1.93039
m/s
|
390
ft/min
|
1.98119
m/s
|
400
ft/min
|
2.03199
m/s
|
410
ft/min
|
2.08279
m/s
|
420
ft/min
|
2.13359
m/s
|
430
ft/min
|
2.18439
m/s
|
440
ft/min
|
2.23519
m/s
|
450
ft/min
|
2.28599
m/s
|
460
ft/min
|
2.33679
m/s
|
470
ft/min
|
2.38759
m/s
|
480
ft/min
|
2.43839
m/s
|
490
ft/min
|
2.48919
m/s
|
500
ft/min
|
2.54
m/s
|
510
ft/min
|
2.59079
m/s
|
520
ft/min
|
2.64159
m/s
|
530
ft/min
|
2.69239
m/s
|
540
ft/min
|
2.74319
m/s
|
550
ft/min
|
2.79399
m/s
|
560
ft/min
|
2.84479
m/s
|
570
ft/min
|
2.89559
m/s
|
580
ft/min
|
2.94639
m/s
|
590
ft/min
|
2.99719
m/s
|
600
ft/min
|
3.04799
m/s
|
610
ft/min
|
3.09879
m/s
|
620
ft/min
|
3.14959
m/s
|
630
ft/min
|
3.20039
m/s
|
640
ft/min
|
3.25119
m/s
|
650
ft/min
|
3.30199
m/s
|
660
ft/min
|
3.35279
m/s
|
670
ft/min
|
3.40359
m/s
|
680
ft/min
|
3.45439
m/s
|
690
ft/min
|
3.50519
m/s
|
700
ft/min
|
3.55599
m/s
|
710
ft/min
|
3.60679
m/s
|
720
ft/min
|
3.65759
m/s
|
730
ft/min
|
3.70839
m/s
|
740
ft/min
|
3.75919
m/s
|
750
ft/min
|
3.80999
m/s
|
760
ft/min
|
3.86079
m/s
|
770
ft/min
|
3.91159
m/s
|
780
ft/min
|
3.96239
m/s
|
790
ft/min
|
4.01319
m/s
|
800
ft/min
|
4.06399
m/s
|
810
ft/min
|
4.11479
m/s
|
820
ft/min
|
4.16559
m/s
|
830
ft/min
|
4.21639
m/s
|
840
ft/min
|
4.26719
m/s
|
850
ft/min
|
4.31799
m/s
|
860
ft/min
|
4.36879
m/s
|
870
ft/min
|
4.41959
m/s
|
880
ft/min
|
4.47039
m/s
|
890
ft/min
|
4.52119
m/s
|
900
ft/min
|
4.57199
m/s
|
910
ft/min
|
4.62279
m/s
|
920
ft/min
|
4.67359
m/s
|
930
ft/min
|
4.72438
m/s
|
940
ft/min
|
4.77518
m/s
|
950
ft/min
|
4.82598
m/s
|
960
ft/min
|
4.87678
m/s
|
970
ft/min
|
4.92758
m/s
|
980
ft/min
|
4.97838
m/s
|
990
ft/min
|
5.02918
m/s
|
1000
ft/min
|
5.07998
m/s
|
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