Velocity calculation in US system from acceleration

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating velocity using the US system of units, specifically from acceleration derived from pounds-force and pounds-mass. The correct method involves dividing pounds-force by pounds-mass to obtain acceleration in g's, where one g equals approximately 32 feet/sec². The integration of acceleration over time yields velocity in feet per second, which can then be converted to miles per hour using the conversion factors of 5280 feet per mile and 3600 seconds per hour.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of US customary units, specifically pounds-force and pounds-mass
  • Basic knowledge of calculus, particularly integration
  • Familiarity with unit conversion techniques
  • Concept of gravitational acceleration (g's) and its value in feet/sec²
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of force and mass in the US customary system
  • Learn about integration techniques in calculus for physics applications
  • Research unit conversion methods between feet per second and miles per hour
  • Explore the implications of using SI units versus US customary units in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, engineering, and applied mathematics who require a clear understanding of velocity calculations in the US system of units.

yosimba2000
Messages
206
Reaction score
9
I've been working exclusively in SI units up until now, so using the US System trips me up.

Given force in pounds-force, I divide it by mass (units are pound-mass) to get acceleration. I take the integral of acceleration to get velocity, which, according to the US Units, are in mph. Am I reading this correctly?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you divide pounds force by pounds mass to get acceleration you will get a result in g's. One g is approximately 32 feet/sec2. For example, 3 pounds force applied to 2 pounds mass will produce an acceleration of 1.5 g's = 48 feet/sec2.

You can integrate acceleration in feet/sec2 over time to get a result in feet per second. Then the conversion from feet per second to miles per hour involves knowing that there are 5280 feet in a mile and 3600 seconds in an hour.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Express drag force/acceleration/velocity as function of time
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
High School Help Scaling Gravity Simulation
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad I'm calculating more energy out than I put in
  • · Replies 138 ·
5
Replies
138
Views
9K
Undergrad Relative Strength of the Magnus effect relative to gravity
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Undergrad Uniquely Defined Accelerations
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad Measure angular velocity and acceleration from missing tooth wheel
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Question Regarding Force Being Equal, Even Moving Upwards (if V=0)?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Velocity calculation of an accelerated mass based on an increasing force
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
High School Time to fall from 200 miles
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Does a rotating accelerometer moving linearly measure linear velocity?
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
5K