What Is This Tool?
This tool converts speed values from foot/second, a common unit in US customary and Imperial systems, into the velocity of sound in sea water at 20°C and 10 meters depth. It helps translate conventional speed measurements into local acoustic travel speeds for marine and underwater applications.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the speed value in foot/second (ft/s).
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Select the target unit as Velocity of sound in sea water (20°C, 10 meter deep).
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Click convert to get the equivalent speed in the local sound speed units.
Key Features
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Converts foot/second speeds to local sound speed in seawater under specific conditions
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Useful for sonar ranging, underwater communication, and oceanographic measurements
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Simple browser-based unit converter with clear input and output formats
Examples
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50 ft/s converts to approximately 0.010015775 Velocity of sound in sea water (20°C, 10 meter deep).
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100 ft/s converts to approximately 0.02003155 Velocity of sound in sea water (20°C, 10 meter deep).
Common Use Cases
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Relating projectile and fluid velocity measurements to underwater sound speed for navigation.
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Calculating distances from sonar travel times using a local sound-speed reference.
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Supporting underwater vehicle positioning and acoustic signal calibration in oceanographic research.
Tips & Best Practices
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Ensure the environmental conditions match 20°C temperature and around 10 meters depth for accurate conversions.
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Adjust calculations if salinity, pressure, or depth deviates significantly from the given conditions.
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Use the converted values to interpret acoustic travel times for precise underwater distance measurements.
Limitations
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The conversion applies only to seawater at 20°C and roughly 10 m depth and may not suit other conditions.
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Variations in salinity, temperature, and pressure affect the velocity of sound and can cause discrepancies.
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Relying on this fixed conversion without environmental adjustment could produce errors in underwater acoustic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why does the velocity of sound in seawater vary?
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It depends mainly on temperature, salinity, and pressure that change with depth and location, affecting acoustic wave speed.
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Can this converter be used for other water temperatures?
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No, it is specifically designed for 20°C and 10 meter depth conditions; different temperatures require different sound speed references.
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What practical applications does this conversion support?
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It aids sonar ranging, underwater communications, acoustic positioning, and oceanographic measurements near the water surface.
Key Terminology
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Foot/second [ft/s]
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A speed unit in US customary and Imperial systems representing one foot traveled in one second, equal to exactly 0.3048 meters per second.
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Velocity of sound in sea water (20°C, 10 meter deep)
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The speed at which acoustic waves travel through seawater at 20 °C and about 10 meters depth, influenced by temperature, salinity, and pressure.
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Sonar Ranging
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A technique using sound propagation to detect objects underwater and measure distances by converting travel time to distance using sound speed.