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How to Convert NS to CM

A centimeter (CM) is a unit of length, and a nanosecond (NS) is a unit of time. While a conventional conversion cannot be calculated between units of different measurement, there is a relationship between centimeters and nanoseconds that allows for one to be expressed in terms of the other. Cable lengths used to connect various electronic equipment, specifically for scientific research, are sometimes expressed in nanoseconds. The nanosecond measurement describes the distance traveled by light in one nanosecond, or 1 billionth of a second.

Things You'll Need

Pencil
Paper
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Take note of the required measurements. The information you will need to mathematically relate nanoseconds and centimeters includes the speed of light (30,000,000,000 centimeters per second) and either the nanosecond measurement or the centimeter measurement. A cable measuring 1 nanosecond has a length defined by how far light travels in that time.
- 2
  Find an expression in centimeters for a cable length measuring 1 nanosecond long. Multiply 1 nanosecond by the speed of light expressed in centimeters per second. Note that 1 nanosecond = 0.000000001 seconds
  
  1 nanosecond x 30,000,000,000 centimeters per second = 30 centimeters
- 3
  Find an expression in nanoseconds for a cable length measuring 60 centimeters long. Divide 60 centimeters by the speed of light expressed in centimeters per second. Note that 1 second = 1,000,000,000 nanoseconds
  
  60 centimeters / 30,000,000,000 centimeters per second = .000000002 seconds, or 2 nanoseconds

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