What the heck is measured in m2 / s2?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the unit m²/s², exploring its meaning and potential applications in physics, particularly in relation to energy and motion. Participants examine various contexts in which this unit might arise, including energy equations and gravitational potential.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that m²/s² could represent the rate of change in the growth of an area.
  • Others propose that it measures energy per unit mass, linking it to the definition of Joules and the relationship between energy and mass.
  • A participant mentions the possibility of m²/s² being related to centripetal acceleration and kinetic energy equations.
  • One participant indicates that m²/s² might refer to the loss of energy per kg due to friction, particularly in hydrodynamics and aerodynamics.
  • Another participant connects m²/s² to gravitational potential, suggesting it could be an optional unit form for potential energy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the meaning of m²/s², with no consensus reached on a single interpretation. Various hypotheses are presented, but the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on specific definitions of energy and mass, and the discussion does not clarify all assumptions or mathematical steps involved in the interpretations presented.

johann1301
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What the heck is measured in m2 / s2??

Can somebody tell me what m2 / s2 measures?? A square meter per squared second??
 
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The rate of change in the growth of an area?
 


energy per unit mass!
 


what ever.
I ain't even important.
 


Measured? Nothing. But I suspect the question is really asking about what an energy equation means.
 


My guess is that it's the velocity component for 1 Joule of energy, 1 Joule = 1 kg m2 / s 2, or kinetic energy of an object = 1/2 mass v2 (with v2 stated as m2 / s2 ). ... or it could be related to centripetal acceleration, a = v2 / r.
 
Last edited:


russ_watters said:
Measured? Nothing. But I suspect the question is really asking about what an energy equation means.
Well, it could be a measure of energy per unit mass (above post #3): J/kg = Nm/kg = kg m sec^-2 m kg^-1 = m^2/sec^2

AM
 


Andrew Mason said:
Well, it could be a measure of energy per unit mass: J/kg = Nm/kg = kg m sec^-2 m kg^-1 = m^2/sec^2

AM

dacruick said:
energy per unit mass!

mwahahaha:biggrin:
 


i'm sorry for necrobumping this old tread, but AM is actually right.

Using bernoulli's equations you can find out the loss of energy due to friction in joule/kg, which is the same as m2/s2.

A joule is the same as a Newton times meter, while a Newton is the force required to accelerate a mass of 1 kg by 1 meter per second squared. so if you write it out it becomes:

\frac{J}{kg} = \frac{N*m}{kg} = \frac{kg*m*m}{s²*kg} =\frac{m²}{s²}

so m2/s2 could refer to the loss of energy per kg due to friction. It's used mostly in hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. Probably also in thermodynamics.
 
  • #10


johann1301 said:
Can somebody tell me what m2 / s2 measures?? A square meter per squared second?

dacruick said:
energy per unit mass

Which would make m^2 / s^2 an optional unit form for potential, such as gravitational potential. For example, for object close enough to Earth's surface that gravitational force can be considered constant, then gravitational potential = g h = (9.8 m / s^2) (h m) = 9.8 h m^2 / s^2.
 

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