72 kilometers per hour (kph) is approximately 20.0000 meters per second (mps).
The conversion from kilometers per hour to meters per second involves dividing the speed by 3.6, because one kilometer equals 1000 meters and one hour equals 3600 seconds. Therefore, 72 kph divided by 3.6 gives the speed in mps.
Conversion Tool
Result in mps:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert kilometers per hour (kph) to meters per second (mps) is:
mps = kph ÷ 3.6
This works because 1 kilometer equals 1000 meters, and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds. When you express the speed in meters per second, you convert the distance from kilometers to meters (multiply by 1000), but also convert the time from hours to seconds (multiply by 3600). Combining these gives:
mps = (kph × 1000) ÷ 3600 = kph ÷ 3.6
For example, converting 72 kph:
- Multiply 72 km by 1000 = 72,000 meters
- Convert 1 hour to seconds = 3600 seconds
- Divide 72,000 by 3600 = 20 mps
Conversion Example
- Convert 54 kph to mps:
- 54 × 1000 = 54,000 meters
- 3600 seconds in 1 hour
- 54,000 ÷ 3600 = 15 mps
- So, 54 kph equals 15 mps.
- Convert 90 kph to mps:
- 90 × 1000 = 90,000 meters
- 3600 seconds per hour
- 90,000 ÷ 3600 = 25 mps
- Therefore, 90 kph is 25 mps.
- Convert 60 kph to mps:
- 60 × 1000 = 60,000 meters
- 3600 seconds in an hour
- 60,000 ÷ 3600 = 16.6667 mps
- So 60 kph equals about 16.6667 mps.
- Convert 100 kph to mps:
- 100 × 1000 = 100,000 meters
- 3600 seconds per hour
- 100,000 ÷ 3600 = 27.7778 mps
- Thus, 100 kph is approximately 27.7778 mps.
Conversion Chart
This chart provides a quick reference for converting speeds from kilometers per hour to meters per second. Find your kph value in the left column and read across to find its equivalent in mps. This makes it easy to compare or convert without calculation.
| Speed (kph) | Speed (mps) |
|---|---|
| 47.0 | 13.0556 |
| 52.0 | 14.4444 |
| 57.0 | 15.8333 |
| 62.0 | 17.2222 |
| 67.0 | 18.6111 |
| 72.0 | 20.0000 |
| 77.0 | 21.3889 |
| 82.0 | 22.7778 |
| 87.0 | 24.1667 |
| 92.0 | 25.5556 |
| 97.0 | 26.9444 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How fast is 72 kilometers per hour in meters per second?
- What’s the exact conversion of 72 kph to mps?
- How to calculate meters per second from 72 kilometers per hour speed?
- Is 72 kph equal to 20 mps or more?
- How many meters per second does a speed of 72 kph represent?
- What formula to use to convert 72 kph into mps?
- How to quickly convert 72 kilometers/hour to meters/sec?
Conversion Definitions
kph (kilometers per hour): Kilometers per hour is a unit measuring speed, indicating how many kilometers an object travels within one hour. It’s widely used in countries using the metric system for vehicle speeds, running pace, and other speed-related measurements.
mps (meters per second): Meters per second is a unit of speed representing how many meters an object moves in one second. It’s commonly used in scientific contexts, physics, and engineering where precise measurement of velocity is required.
Conversion FAQs
Why does dividing by 3.6 convert kph to mps?
When we convert from kilometers per hour to meters per second, the units must change from kilometers to meters and hours to seconds. Since 1 km = 1000 m and 1 hr = 3600 seconds, dividing by 3.6 (which is 3600 ÷ 1000) adjusts both distance and time units simultaneously.
Can I convert mps back to kph easily?
Yes, converting from meters per second to kilometers per hour involves multiplying by 3.6. This reverses the previous division, turning meters per second back into kilometers per hour, because you scale meters to kilometers and seconds to hours.
Is the conversion factor always exactly 3.6?
Yes, the conversion factor between kilometers per hour and meters per second is a constant 3.6, due to fixed unit definitions. This never changes because the distance and time units are defined internationally and precisely.
What is the accuracy of the conversion for practical use?
The conversion using division by 3.6 is exact in theory, but when rounding decimal places, slight differences might appear. For most practical applications, using four decimal places provides enough precision without affecting results noticeably.
Does this conversion apply to all speeds measured in kph?
Yes, any speed measured in kilometers per hour can be converted to meters per second using this formula, regardless of the value. This universality makes the formula reliable for vehicles, running speeds, or any motion measured in kph.
