Fortnight to Shake Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert fortnights to shakes with our free online time converter.
Fortnight to Shake Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Fortnight).
- The converted value in Shake will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Time category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Fortnight to Shake
Converting Fortnight to Shake involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Fortnight = 1.2096e+14 shakesExample Calculation:
Convert 60 fortnights: 60 × 1.2096e+14 = 7.2576e+15 shakes
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Fortnight and a Shake?
A fortnight is a unit of time equal to exactly two weeks, which corresponds to 14 days or 336 hours.
A Shake is an informal unit of time equal to 10 nanoseconds (10 ns), or 10⁻⁸ seconds. It is primarily used in nuclear physics and astrophysics to measure the timing of events in nuclear reactions and related phenomena.
Note: The Fortnight is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Shake belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Fortnight and Shake
The word "fortnight" originates from the Old English term "fēowertīene niht," meaning "fourteen nights." Counting periods by nights was common among ancient Germanic peoples. The term has been in continuous use in English for centuries and remains relatively common in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth countries, although its usage has declined somewhat in favor of "two weeks," especially in North America.
The term "Shake" originated during the Manhattan Project, the World War II effort to develop the first nuclear weapons. Nuclear chain reactions happen extremely quickly, and physicists needed a convenient, short unit of time to discuss the timing of events within these reactions. Ten nanoseconds was chosen as a practical order of magnitude for many processes involved. The name itself is informal, reputedly derived from the expression "two shakes of a lamb's tail," implying a very short duration.
Common Uses for fortnights and shakes
Explore the typical applications for both Fortnight (imperial/US) and Shake (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for fortnights
- Scheduling: Used in some regions for scheduling events, meetings, or appointments that occur every two weeks.
- Payroll: Some companies, particularly in the UK and Australia, operate on a fortnightly pay cycle (paid every two weeks).
- Publications: Certain magazines or journals might be published fortnightly (bi-weekly).
- General Conversation: Used informally in regions where the term is common to refer to a two-week period (e.g., "I'm going on holiday for a fortnight").
- Literary/Formal Contexts: Sometimes used in literature or more formal writing for stylistic reasons or historical accuracy.
Common Uses for shakes
The Shake is almost exclusively used in specific technical fields:
- Nuclear Physics: Measuring the time intervals between successive neutron generations in a nuclear chain reaction.
- Astrophysics: Discussing timescales relevant to certain high-energy astrophysical events.
- Particle Physics: Occasionally used in experiments involving very short-lived particles or interactions.
- Laser Physics: Sometimes used in contexts involving very short laser pulses.
It is not used for everyday time measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Fortnight (fn)
How many days are in a fortnight?
A fortnight consists of exactly 14 days (or 336 hours).
How many weeks make a fortnight?
A fortnight is equal to exactly 2 weeks.
Where does the word "fortnight" come from?
It originates from the Old English phrase "fēowertīene niht," which literally translates to "fourteen nights," reflecting an old practice of counting periods of time by the number of nights.
Is "fortnight" commonly used everywhere?
No, its usage varies significantly by region. It remains relatively common in everyday language in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth countries. However, in North America and many other parts of the world, the term "two weeks" is far more prevalent.
About Shake (shake)
How long is a Shake in seconds?
One Shake is equal to 10 nanoseconds (10 ns), which is 10⁻⁸ seconds, or 0.00000001 seconds.
Where did the name "Shake" come from?
The name is an informal term coined during the Manhattan Project. It's believed to be a humorous reference to the phrase "in two shakes of a lamb's tail," signifying a very brief period, appropriate for the rapid events in nuclear reactions.
Is the Shake an SI unit?
No, the Shake is not part of the International System of Units (SI). The standard SI unit for time is the second (s). The Shake is a specialized, informal unit used within specific scientific communities for convenience.
Conversion Table: Fortnight to Shake
| Fortnight (fn) | Shake (shake) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 120,960,000,000,000 |
| 5 | 604,800,000,000,000 |
| 10 | 1,209,600,000,000,000 |
| 25 | 3,024,000,000,000,000 |
| 50 | 6,048,000,000,000,000 |
| 100 | 12,096,000,000,000,000 |
| 500 | 60,480,000,000,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 120,960,000,000,000,000 |