Meter per second (m/s)
The meter per second, symbolized as m/s, is the SI unit for speed, representing the distance an object travels in one second. It was introduced alongside the meter in the late 18th century as part of the metric system and has since become the standard unit of measurement in physics, engineering, and scientific research. Using meters per second ensures consistent, precise, and universal speed measurements, crucial in fields such as mechanics, astronomy, and transportation planning. This unit is widely used in scientific literature, high-speed calculations, and international engineering projects, providing a clear metric reference point for motion.
Knot (kn)
The knot (kn) is a unit of speed based on nautical miles per hour, widely used in both maritime and aviation navigation. The term comes from an early method where sailors used a rope, known as a log line, with evenly spaced knots to gauge a ship’s speed. By counting the number of knots that passed overboard during a set period, they could estimate how fast the vessel was moving. One knot is defined as one nautical mile per hour, equivalent to roughly 1.852 kilometers per hour. Today, the knot is universally adopted for sea and air navigation, providing a consistent and reliable standard for measuring speed in global transportation.