1. What is a Mach to Ground Speed Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts Mach number (speed relative to the speed of sound) to ground speed in meters per second.

Purpose: It helps aviation professionals, engineers, and enthusiasts understand the actual ground speed of an object moving at supersonic or subsonic speeds.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( v_g \) — Ground speed (meters per second)
• \( M \) — Mach number (dimensionless)
• \( a \) — Speed of sound (343 m/s at sea level)

Explanation: The Mach number is multiplied by the speed of sound to calculate the actual ground speed.

3. Importance of Ground Speed Calculation

Details: Understanding ground speed is crucial for flight planning, fuel calculations, and ensuring safe operation of aircraft.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the Mach number and speed of sound (default 343 m/s at sea level). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Mach number?
A: Mach number is the ratio of an object's speed to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium.

Q2: Why does the speed of sound vary?
A: The speed of sound changes with altitude and temperature - it decreases with altitude and lower temperatures.

Q3: What's a typical speed of sound at sea level?
A: At 20°C (68°F), the speed of sound is approximately 343 m/s (1,235 km/h or 767 mph).

Q4: How does this relate to ground speed in km/h?
A: Multiply the result in m/s by 3.6 to convert to km/h.

Q5: What Mach number is considered supersonic?
A: Any Mach number greater than 1.0 is supersonic.