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Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement
Chapter 1, Problem 57a

a. A bumblebee flies with a ground speed of 15.2 m/s. Calculate its speed in km/h.

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1
Convert the speed from meters per second (m/s) to kilometers per hour (km/h) by using the conversion factor: 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h.
Multiply the given speed in m/s by the conversion factor to find the speed in km/h.
Set up the equation: speed in km/h = 15.2 m/s * 3.6 km/h per m/s.
Perform the multiplication to find the speed in km/h.
Ensure the units are correctly converted and the final answer is in km/h.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is the process of converting a quantity expressed in one set of units to another. In this case, we need to convert the speed of the bumblebee from meters per second (m/s) to kilometers per hour (km/h). This involves using conversion factors, specifically knowing that 1 km equals 1000 meters and 1 hour equals 3600 seconds.
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Speed

Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving, defined as the distance traveled per unit of time. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it has magnitude but no direction. In this question, the speed of the bumblebee is given in m/s, which indicates how many meters it travels in one second.
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Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical technique used to convert one set of units to another by using conversion factors. It ensures that the units cancel appropriately, leading to the desired unit. This method is particularly useful in physics and chemistry for verifying that equations are dimensionally consistent and for performing unit conversions accurately.
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