In fluid dynamics and engineering, understanding kinematic viscosity is crucial for analyzing fluid flow behavior. Kinematic viscosity is often measured in units like square foot per second (ft²/s) or stokes (St) and its multiples, such as gigastokes (GSt). Converting between these units is essential for accurate calculations in various industrial and scientific applications.
This article provides a detailed, step-by-step guide on converting 90.5 square foot per second (ft²/s) to gigastokes (GSt), along with explanations of the units, conversion formulas, and practical applications.
What is Square Foot per Second (ft²/s)?
Square foot per second (ft²/s) is a unit of kinematic viscosity in the Imperial and US Customary systems. It represents the ratio of a fluid’s dynamic viscosity to its density, describing how easily the fluid flows under gravity.
What is Gigastokes (GSt)?
Gigastokes (GSt) is a metric unit of kinematic viscosity, where:
- 1 GSt = 1 billion stokes (10⁹ St)
- 1 St (stokes) = 1 cm²/s
Since 1 ft²/s = 929.0304 St, converting to gigastokes involves scaling by a factor of 10⁻⁹.
Conversion Formula
To convert square foot per second (ft²/s) to gigastokes (GSt), use the following formula:GSt=ft²/s×929.0304×10−9GSt=ft²/s×929.0304×10−9
Step-by-Step Conversion for 90.5 ft²/s
- Multiply by the conversion factor (ft²/s to St):90.5 ft²/s×929.0304 St/ft²/s=84,077.2512 St90.5ft²/s×929.0304St/ft²/s=84,077.2512St
- Convert stokes to gigastokes (divide by 10⁹):84,077.2512 St×10−9=0.000084077 GSt84,077.2512St×10−9=0.000084077GSt
Final Result
90.5 ft²/s=0.000084077 GSt90.5ft²/s=0.000084077GSt
Practical Applications
Why Convert ft²/s to GSt?
- Industrial Fluid Dynamics: Ensures compatibility between Imperial and metric systems in machinery design.
- Petroleum Engineering: Helps in calculating oil viscosity for pipelines and refining processes.
- Aerospace & Automotive: Critical for lubrication and fuel flow analysis.
Common Conversion Examples
| ft²/s | Gigastokes (GSt) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 9.2903 × 10⁻⁷ |
| 10 | 9.2903 × 10⁻⁶ |
| 100 | 9.2903 × 10⁻⁵ |
| 90.5 | 8.4077 × 10⁻⁵ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between kinematic and dynamic viscosity?
- Kinematic viscosity (ft²/s, St) measures fluid resistance under gravity.
- Dynamic viscosity (Pa·s, Poise) measures internal resistance to flow.
2. How do I convert gigastokes back to ft²/s?
Use the inverse formula:ft²/s=GSt×109×0.00107639ft²/s=GSt×109×0.00107639
3. Where is this conversion used in real life?
- Hydraulic systems
- Lubricant manufacturing
- Chemical processing
Conclusion
Converting 90.5 square foot per second to gigastokes is straightforward using the formula:GSt=ft²/s×929.0304×10−9GSt=ft²/s×929.0304×10−9
The result, 0.000084077 GSt, is useful in engineering and scientific applications requiring unit standardization. Understanding these conversions ensures accuracy in fluid dynamics calculations across different measurement systems.
For more viscosity conversion tools and engineering resources, explore our related guides!