Unit Information
Foot
The foot (ft) equals 0.3048 meters or 12 inches. Widely used in aviation and US construction.
Meter
The meter (m) is the base SI unit of length, defined by the distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
Conversion Tips
- Remember to check your decimal places for accuracy.
- This conversion is commonly used in international applications.
- Consider the context when choosing precision levels.
- Double-check calculations for critical applications.
Learn More About Length
Scientific Overview
Length is a fundamental physical quantity representing the one-dimensional extent of an object or the distance between two points. It is one of the seven base SI units in physics.
Historical Background
The measurement of length has evolved from body-based units such as cubit and foot in ancient civilizations to the modern metric system. The meter was originally defined as 1/10,000,000 of the distance from the equator to the North Pole.
Real-World Applications
Engineering
Precise length measurements are crucial in construction, manufacturing, and design.
Astronomy
Astronomical units, light-years, and parsecs measure vast cosmic distances.
Nanotechnology
Nanometers and angstroms are used to measure molecular and atomic scales.
Geography
Kilometers and miles measure distances on Earth's surface.
Interesting Facts
- The meter is now defined by the distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 of a second.
- A light-year is about 9.46 trillion kilometers.
- The Planck length (1.616×10⁻³⁵ m) is the smallest measurable length in physics.
- The observable universe is about 93 billion light-years in diameter.
Key Formulas
Distance Formula
d = √[(x₂-x₁)² + (y₂-y₁)²]Speed Relation
Distance = Speed × TimeCircumference
C = 2πr (r = radius)