Second to Shake Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert seconds to shakes with our free online time converter.
Second to Shake Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Second).
- 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 Second to Shake
Converting Second to Shake involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Second = 1.0000e+8 shakesExample Calculation:
Convert 60 seconds: 60 × 1.0000e+8 = 6.0000e+9 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 Second and a Shake?
The second is the base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined by taking the fixed numerical value of the caesium frequency ΔνCs, the unperturbed ground-state hyperfine transition frequency of the caesium-133 atom, to be 9,192,631,770 when expressed in the unit Hz, which is equal to s⁻¹.
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 Second 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 Second and Shake
Historically, the second was defined as 1/86,400 of a mean solar day. However, variations in the Earth's rotation led to the need for a more precise, constant definition. The atomic definition based on the caesium-133 atom was adopted in 1967.
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 seconds and shakes
Explore the typical applications for both Second (imperial/US) and Shake (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for seconds
- Base Unit: The fundamental unit for all time measurements in science, engineering, and daily life.
- Timing: Used universally for clocks, watches, timers, and scheduling.
- Physics: Essential in defining derived units like velocity (meters per second), acceleration (meters per second squared), frequency (Hertz, or cycles per second), and force (Newtons).
- Computing: Used as a base for measuring intervals, timeouts, and durations, although often subdivided into milliseconds, microseconds, or nanoseconds for finer measurements.
- Everyday Life: Counting heartbeats, measuring short durations, coordinating activities.
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 Second (s)
What is the base unit of time in the SI system?
The second (s) is the base unit of time.
Why is the second defined using atoms?
The atomic definition provides a much more stable and precise standard than relying on the Earth's rotation, which fluctuates slightly.
How many seconds are in a minute?
There are 60 seconds in a minute.
How many seconds are in an hour?
There are 3,600 seconds in an hour (60 seconds/minute * 60 minutes/hour).
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: Second to Shake
| Second (s) | Shake (shake) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100,000,000 |
| 5 | 500,000,000 |
| 10 | 1,000,000,000 |
| 25 | 2,500,000,000 |
| 50 | 5,000,000,000 |
| 100 | 10,000,000,000 |
| 500 | 50,000,000,000 |
| 1,000 | 100,000,000,000 |