Convert Mile/Hour (mi/h) to Speed of Sound in Sea Water (vₛₑₐ) instantly.
About these units
Mile/Hour (mi/h)
The mile per hour represents the number of miles traveled in one hour and is commonly used in the United States, the UK (in road contexts), and several other countries with legacy imperial systems. mph is deeply woven into cultural habits: driver training, speed limits, vehicular performance, and even athletic achievements are often expressed in miles per hour. In science and engineering, however, mph is rarely used because the mile and hour are not SI units. Still, mph retains strong emotional and historical associations—for example, the significance of a car "breaking 200 mph" or the legendary "88 mph" in popular culture. It persists because measurement units often survive long after their historical origins fade.
Speed of Sound in Sea Water (vₛₑₐ)
In sea water, the speed of sound is generally higher—around 1,530–1,540 m/s—due to dissolved salts, temperature gradients, and pressure at depth. Sea water's complex structure causes refraction of sound waves, creating deep sound channels (like the SOFAR channel) that allow sound to travel vast distances with minimal attenuation. Oceanographers use sound-speed profiles to map underwater topography, measure ocean temperatures, and study global climate patterns. The speed of sound in sea water is essential for both marine ecology and military navigation.