120 kilometers per hour (km/h) is equal to 33.3333 meters per second (mps).
To convert kilometers per hour to meters per second, you divide the speed value by 3.6 because 1 km equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. This conversion helps compare speeds in different units more easily.
Conversion Tool
Result in mps:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per second (mps) is:
mps = km/h ÷ 3.6
This works because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. Dividing the kilometers by hours gives km/h, but to convert this to meters per second, you convert kilometers to meters and hours to seconds:
- 1 km = 1000 m
- 1 hour = 3600 seconds
So, converting km/h to mps means multiplying by 1000 to get meters and dividing by 3600 to get seconds:
mps = km/h × (1000 m / 1 km) ÷ (3600 s / 1 h) = km/h × (1000/3600) = km/h ÷ 3.6
Conversion Example
- Example: Convert 90 km to mps
- Step 1: Write down the speed in km/h: 90 km/h
- Step 2: Use the formula mps = km/h ÷ 3.6
- Step 3: Calculate 90 ÷ 3.6 = 25 mps
- Step 4: Result: 90 km/h equals 25 meters per second
- Example: Convert 60 km to mps
- 60 ÷ 3.6 = 16.6667 mps
- Therefore, 60 km/h is approximately 16.6667 meters per second
- Example: Convert 135 km to mps
- 135 ÷ 3.6 = 37.5 mps
- So, 135 km/h equals 37.5 meters per second
Conversion Chart
| Speed (km/h) | Speed (mps) |
|---|---|
| 95.0 | 26.3889 |
| 100.0 | 27.7778 |
| 105.0 | 29.1667 |
| 110.0 | 30.5556 |
| 115.0 | 31.9444 |
| 120.0 | 33.3333 |
| 125.0 | 34.7222 |
| 130.0 | 36.1111 |
| 135.0 | 37.5 |
| 140.0 | 38.8889 |
| 145.0 | 40.2778 |
The chart shows speeds in kilometers per hour alongside their equivalent in meters per second. You can find your km/h value in the first column and see the converted mps in the second. This helps quickly compare speeds in different units without calculation.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many meters per second are there in 120 km per hour?
- What is the mps value of 120 kilometers per hour speed?
- Convert 120 km/h to meters per second: what is the result?
- If a car moves at 120 km/h, how fast is that in mps?
- Is 120 km/h equal to 33 mps or more?
- How do I convert 120 km to mps manually?
- What formula to use for converting 120 kilometers per hour to meters per second?
Conversion Definitions
km (kilometer): Kilometer is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 1000 meters. It is used to measure distances on roads, between cities, or any longer length. Kilometers often used for travel speed and geographic distances worldwide, except in few countries.
mps (meters per second): Meters per second is a unit of speed that indicates how many meters an object travels in one second. It’s commonly used in physics and engineering to express velocity. One mps equals moving one meter every second, suitable for precise speed measurements.
Conversion FAQs
Why divide by 3.6 when converting km/h to mps?
Because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds, dividing by 3.6 converts kilometers per hour to meters per second by adjusting for the difference in units. The factor 3.6 comes from 3600 ÷ 1000.
Can this conversion be reversed to get km/h from mps?
Yes, to convert meters per second back to kilometers per hour, you multiply the value by 3.6, reversing the division process. This lets you switch between unit systems depending on what you need.
Why is meters per second preferred in physics?
Meters per second is a standard unit in the International System (SI) for velocity, making calculations easier within scientific formulas. It relates directly to base units of meters and seconds, which simplifies many physics equations.
Does this conversion consider acceleration or just speed?
This conversion only changes the units of speed, not acceleration. Acceleration would involve change in speed over time, and converting acceleration units requires different calculations.
Is the conversion precise for all speed values?
The conversion formula km/h ÷ 3.6 gives an exact mathematical conversion between units, so it is precise for any speed value. Rounding occurs only when displaying a limited number of decimal places.
