How many meters per second is a speed of 120 km/h?
3 Answers
A car speed of 120 km/h means the current speed is 120 km/h. Given that 1 km = 1000 m and 1 h = 3600 s, therefore 120 km/h = 120000 m/3600 s ≈ 33.3 m/s, approximately 33 meters per second. Here is additional information: Maximum speed: Refers to the maximum driving speed a car can achieve under windless conditions on a level, good asphalt or concrete road surface. Conditions for reaching maximum speed: Suitable road surface; the car needs to be shifted to overdrive gear; after shifting to overdrive, press the accelerator to the floor, and when the engine speed reaches the rpm corresponding to maximum power, the car will reach its maximum speed.
I often think about this question while driving. At a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, the car travels approximately 33.3 meters per second. The conversion is actually quite simple: 120 kilometers per hour equals 120,000 meters (1 kilometer = 1,000 meters), divided by 3,600 seconds (1 hour = 3,600 seconds), 120,000 ÷ 3,600 ≈ 33.33 meters per second. This speed means the car crosses half a basketball court in the blink of an eye, leaving no time to react in case of an emergency. Therefore, on the highway, it's essential to maintain a safe distance of at least 150 meters to allow yourself at least 4 seconds of braking reaction time.
Last time on the highway, I calculated by staring at the dashboard that 120 km/h converts to 33.33 meters per second. You might find this number hard to visualize, so let me give you an example: the distance between buildings in our neighborhood is about 35 meters. At this speed, you're passing one building every second. The average braking distance for a family car from 100 km/h is around 40 meters, meaning from the moment you spot danger to coming to a complete stop, you'll still slide over thirty meters. That's why it's crucial to proactively reduce speed in rainy or foggy conditions—after all, braking distance can double on slippery roads.
