Engineering Unit Converter
Convert engineering units with precision and accuracy
Velocity - Angular Converter
Acceleration Converter
Acceleration - Angular Converter
Density Converter
Specific Volume Converter
Moment of Inertia Converter
Moment of Force Converter
Torque Converter
Quick Links to All Engineering Converters
Frequently Asked Questions
Velocity - Angular Converter FAQs
Angular velocity measures how fast an object rotates or revolves around an axis. It's expressed in units like radians per second (rad/s) or revolutions per minute (rpm). This is crucial in engineering for analyzing rotating machinery, motors, gears, turbines, and any mechanical system involving rotation. Understanding angular velocity helps engineers design efficient rotating systems and predict their behavior.
To convert RPM (revolutions per minute) to rad/s (radians per second), multiply by π/30 (approximately 0.10472). For example: 100 RPM = 100 × π/30 = 10.47 rad/s. Our converter handles this automatically with high precision.
Degrees and radians are both units for measuring angles. One complete revolution equals 360 degrees or 2π radians. Radians are preferred in engineering and physics because they simplify many calculations. 1 radian = 57.2958 degrees. When expressing angular velocity, rad/s is the SI unit, while deg/s is sometimes used for clarity in certain applications.
Acceleration Converter FAQs
The SI (International System of Units) standard unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²). This represents the change in velocity (m/s) per second. Other common units include feet per second squared (ft/s²) and the acceleration due to gravity (g), where 1 g = 9.80665 m/s².
A Gal (or galileo) is a unit of acceleration used in gravimetry and geophysics. 1 Gal = 1 cm/s² = 0.01 m/s². It's named after Galileo Galilei and is commonly used for measuring very small accelerations, such as variations in Earth's gravitational field.
The human tolerance for g-forces varies by direction and duration. Briefly, humans can withstand about 5g forward acceleration, 2-3g laterally, and trained pilots can handle up to 9g with proper equipment. Sustained acceleration above 5-6g can cause loss of consciousness. Our converter helps you understand these forces in different units for safety and design considerations.
Acceleration - Angular Converter FAQs
Angular acceleration is the rate of change of angular velocity over time. It measures how quickly a rotating object speeds up or slows down. The standard SI unit is radians per second squared (rad/s²). It's essential for analyzing starting, stopping, and speed changes in rotating machinery, motors, and mechanical systems.
Linear acceleration measures change in straight-line velocity (m/s²), while angular acceleration measures change in rotational velocity (rad/s²). They're related through the radius: linear acceleration = radius × angular acceleration. For example, a point on a rotating wheel experiences linear acceleration based on both the wheel's angular acceleration and the point's distance from the center.
Revolution/minute/second (rpm/s) is practical for measuring how quickly motors or engines accelerate from one RPM to another. For instance, if an engine accelerates from 1000 RPM to 3000 RPM in 5 seconds, its angular acceleration is 400 rpm/s. This unit is more intuitive than rad/s² for engineers working with rotating machinery specifications.
Density Converter FAQs
Density is mass per unit volume (kg/m³ in SI units). It's critical for material selection, weight calculations, buoyancy analysis, fluid dynamics, and structural design. Knowing a material's density helps engineers calculate total weight, determine if objects will float or sink, and select appropriate materials for specific applications.
Water has a density of approximately 1000 kg/m³ (or 1 g/cm³) at 4°C, making it a convenient reference point. Materials with density less than water will float, while denser materials will sink. This relationship is fundamental in ship design, submarine engineering, and fluid mechanics. The metric system was designed so 1 cm³ of water weighs 1 gram.
kg/m³ is the SI standard unit, while g/cm³ is commonly used for solids and liquids because the numbers are more manageable. They're related by a factor of 1000: 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³. For example, aluminum's density is 2.7 g/cm³ or 2700 kg/m³. Our converter handles all these units and more, including imperial units like lb/ft³.
Specific Volume Converter FAQs
Specific volume is the volume occupied by a unit mass of a material (m³/kg in SI units). It's the reciprocal of density: specific volume = 1/density. This property is particularly important in thermodynamics, especially for gases and vapors in steam tables, HVAC calculations, and engine analysis.
Specific volume is preferred in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics when working with gases, vapors, and steam. It's more intuitive for thermodynamic cycles (like Rankine and Brayton cycles) where you're tracking how volume changes with temperature and pressure. Steam tables, for example, list specific volume rather than density because it directly shows how much space a given mass of steam occupies.
They're reciprocals: Specific Volume = 1 / Density. For example, if density is 2 kg/m³, specific volume is 0.5 m³/kg. If specific volume is 0.001 m³/kg, density is 1000 kg/m³. Our converter handles this relationship automatically across different unit systems.
Moment of Inertia Converter FAQs
Moment of inertia (or rotational inertia) measures an object's resistance to changes in rotational motion. It's the rotational equivalent of mass in linear motion. The SI unit is kg·m². A higher moment of inertia means more torque is needed to achieve the same angular acceleration. It depends on both the mass and how that mass is distributed relative to the axis of rotation.
The same object has different moments of inertia about different axes. Mass farther from the axis contributes more to the moment of inertia (by the square of the distance). For example, a rod rotated about its end has 4 times the moment of inertia compared to rotation about its center. This is why figure skaters spin faster when they pull their arms in - they're reducing their moment of inertia.
Engineers use moment of inertia to design flywheels (energy storage), calculate required motor torque for rotating machinery, analyze vibrations, design rotating components in engines, and evaluate structural beam bending. It's fundamental to the equation: Torque = Moment of Inertia × Angular Acceleration, which is crucial for any rotating mechanical system design.
Moment of Force Converter FAQs
Moment of force (also called moment or torque) is the rotational effect of a force applied at a distance from an axis. It equals Force × Distance and is measured in N·m (newton meters) in SI units. For example, applying 10 N of force at 2 meters from a pivot creates a 20 N·m moment. It's fundamental in lever mechanics, beam analysis, and any system involving rotation or pivoting.
In engineering, "moment of force" and "torque" are often used interchangeably, both measured in the same units (N·m). Technically, "moment" is more general and can refer to any force × distance effect, while "torque" specifically refers to the twisting action that causes rotation. In practice, both terms describe the same physical quantity in rotating systems.
The moment of force increases linearly with lever arm length. Doubling the distance doubles the moment. This is why you can open a tight jar lid more easily with a longer wrench, or why door handles are placed far from hinges. A 100 N force at 0.5 m creates 50 N·m, but the same force at 1 m creates 100 N·m - twice the rotational effect.
Torque Converter FAQs
Torque is the rotational force that causes or prevents rotation. In mechanical systems, it's the twisting force delivered by motors, engines, or applied to nuts and bolts. The SI unit is newton-meter (N·m), while imperial uses foot-pound force (ft·lbf). Engine torque determines acceleration capability, and bolt torque specifications ensure proper tightening without damage.
Proper torque ensures bolts are tight enough to prevent loosening but not so tight they strip threads or break. Too little torque risks mechanical failure from loose connections; too much can crack components or deform materials. Torque specifications (often in ft·lbf or N·m) are critical for safety in automotive, aerospace, and structural applications. Our converter helps you match torque wrench settings to specification requirements.
Power and torque are related by rotational speed: Power = Torque × Angular Velocity. An engine can have high torque at low RPM (good for acceleration and hauling) or lower torque at high RPM. Diesel engines typically produce more torque at lower RPM than gasoline engines. Converting between N·m and ft·lbf helps compare engine specifications from different manufacturers and regions.
N·m (newton meter) is the standard SI unit for torque, while N·cm (newton centimeter) is 1/100th of a N·m and is used for smaller applications like precision instruments, small motors, or delicate fasteners. Similarly, in·lbf (inch-pound force) is used for smaller torque values than ft·lbf. Our converter handles all these units to match your specific application needs.
About Engineering Unit Converter
Our Engineering Unit Converter provides essential conversion tools for engineers, students, and professionals working with mechanical, civil, and aerospace engineering calculations. Convert between different unit systems quickly and accurately.
Available Converters
- Velocity - Angular Converter: Convert between rad/s, rpm, deg/s, and more for rotating systems
- Acceleration Converter: Convert m/s², ft/s², g-force, and other acceleration units
- Acceleration - Angular Converter: Essential for rotational dynamics calculations
- Density Converter: Convert kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/ft³ for material properties
- Specific Volume Converter: Convert m³/kg, ft³/lb for thermodynamic calculations
- Moment of Inertia Converter: Critical for rotational dynamics and mechanics
- Moment of Force Converter: Convert N·m, ft·lbf for force applications
- Torque Converter: Essential for mechanical design and power transmission
All conversions use internationally recognized standards and provide high-precision results for engineering applications.