Question

A rocket moves at the speed of 4.9 miles per second. To calculate this as feet/second, which conversion step is not involved?

1) Create the conversion factor of 5,280 miles/1 feet
2) Cancel units for miles to become feet
3) Multiply 4.9 by 5,280
4) Simply answer to 25,872 ft/s

Answer 1

The incorrect step in converting the speed of a rocket from miles per second to feet per second is creating a conversion factor of 5,280 miles to 1 foot, as the correct conversion is 1 mile to 5,280 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

To convert the speed of a rocket from miles per second to feet per second, you would follow several steps, but one of those steps is not involved. The unnecessary step is creating a conversion factor of 5,280 miles to 1 foot since the correct conversion factor should be 1 mile equals 5,280 feet. Instead, you would:

1. Create the proper conversion factor of 1 mile/5,280 feet.
2. Cancel units so that miles are converted to feet.
3. Multiply 4.9 miles/second by 5,280 to convert to feet/second.
4. Confirm the conversion, which results in 25,872 ft/s (not simply provide this as the answer without calculation).