Millisecond (ms)

Definition

A millisecond (ms) is a unit of time equal to one thousandth of a second. It is an SI (International System of Units) unit, defined as 1 ms = 0.001 seconds.

History

The term "millisecond" emerged in the late 19th century as time measurement systems evolved. The introduction of precise clocks and electrical timekeeping methods in the early 20th century allowed for more accurate time measurements, including milliseconds.

Uses

Milliseconds are commonly used in various fields, including computer science for measuring processing times, telecommunications for signal transmission delays, and sports for timing events. In everyday life, milliseconds can be critical in video games and multimedia applications where synchronization is essential.

Conversions

  • 1 second = 1,000 ms
  • 1 minute = 60,000 ms
  • 1 hour = 3,600,000 ms

Fun Facts

  • A common misconception is that a millisecond is too short to matter; however, in computing, it can significantly impact performance.
  • The millisecond is used in the measurement of light travel time; light travels approximately 299,792 kilometers in 1 ms.
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