The speed of a moving object is calculated in meters per second (m/s) because this unit of measurement is part of the International System of Units (SI), which is the most widely used system of measurement in the world. The SI system was established to provide a coherent and standardized way of expressing physical quantities.
Here's why meters per second is commonly used for speed:
Universal adoption: The SI system is adopted internationally by scientists, engineers, and most countries. This widespread adoption ensures consistency and facilitates communication across different regions and disciplines.
Simplicity and coherence: Meters per second is a straightforward and coherent unit for measuring speed. It is derived from the fundamental units of length (meter) and time (second) in the SI system. The speed is simply calculated by dividing the distance (in meters) covered by an object by the time (in seconds) it takes to cover that distance.
Practicality: In everyday life, many objects' speeds can be conveniently expressed in meters per second. For example, the speed of a car, a runner, or the velocity of a ball can all be measured effectively using this unit.
Compatibility with other SI units: Meters per second is compatible with other units in the SI system. For instance, acceleration is measured in meters per second squared (m/s²), which aligns with the concept of meters per second for speed.
While the SI system is widely used, there are some cases where other units, such as miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h), are still utilized, depending on the region or specific applications. However, for scientific and technical purposes, meters per second remains the most common unit for expressing speed due to its compatibility, simplicity, and the international acceptance of the SI system.