Planck Time to Shake Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool

Convert Planck times to shakes with our free online time converter.

From:

Planck Time

To:

Shake

How to Use the Calculator:

Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Planck Time).
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 Planck Time to Shake

Converting Planck Time to Shake involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.

Formula:

1 Planck Time = 5.3910e-36 shakes

Example Calculation:

Convert 60 Planck times: 60 × 5.3910e-36 = 3.2346e-34 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 Planck Time and a Shake?

The Planck time (tP) is the unit of time in the system of natural units known as Planck units. It is defined as the time it takes for light to travel a distance of one Planck length in a vacuum, approximately 5.39 × 10⁻⁴⁴ seconds. It represents the timescale below which the known laws of physics, including general relativity and quantum mechanics, are thought to break down.

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 Planck Time 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 Planck Time and Shake

The concept of Planck units, including Planck time, was first proposed by German physicist Max Planck around 1899-1900. He sought to define units based solely on fundamental physical constants, independent of human constructs. Planck time is derived from the speed of light in a vacuum (c), the gravitational constant (G), and the reduced Planck constant (ħ). It represents a fundamental timescale inherent to the universe's properties, particularly where quantum effects of gravity become significant.

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 Planck times and shakes

Explore the typical applications for both Planck Time (imperial/US) and Shake (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.

Common Uses for Planck times

Planck time is not used for any practical, everyday measurements due to its incredibly small magnitude. Its significance is purely theoretical:

Theoretical Physics: Used as a fundamental unit in theories attempting to unify gravity with quantum mechanics (quantum gravity).
Cosmology: Relevant in describing the very earliest moments of the universe immediately after the Big Bang, known as the Planck epoch, before which current physical theories are inapplicable.
Black Hole Physics: Used in theoretical discussions about the singularity and quantum effects near black holes.
Fundamental Limits: Represents the shortest theoretically meaningful interval of time according to current understanding of physics.

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 Planck Time (tP)

What is the value of Planck time in seconds?

Planck time (tP) is approximately 5.391 × 10⁻⁴⁴ seconds.

Is Planck time the absolute shortest possible time?

It's considered the shortest meaningful time interval according to current physical theories. Below this scale, the concepts of space and time as we understand them are expected to break down, requiring a theory of quantum gravity for description. It's not necessarily the "shortest possible" time, but rather the limit of our current models.

Can we measure Planck time directly?

No, Planck time is far too short to be measured with any current or foreseeable technology. Its existence and value are derived theoretically from fundamental constants.

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: Planck Time to Shake

Planck Time (tP)	Shake (shake)
1	0
5	0
10	0
25	0
50	0
100	0
500	0
1,000	0

All Time Conversions

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