Shake to Microsecond Converter
Convert shakes to microseconds with our free online time converter.
Quick Answer
1 Shake = 0.01 microseconds
Formula: Shake × conversion factor = Microsecond
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Shake to Microsecond Calculator
How to Use the Shake to Microsecond Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Shake).
- The converted value in Microsecond 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 Shake to Microsecond: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Shake to Microsecond involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Shake = 0.01 microsecondsExample Calculation:
Convert 60 shakes: 60 × 0.01 = 0.6 microseconds
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.
Need to convert to other time units?
View all Time conversions →What is a Shake and a Microsecond?
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.
A microsecond is a unit of time equal to one-millionth (1/1,000,000) of a second. It is also 1/1000th of a millisecond.
Note: The Shake is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Microsecond belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Shake and Microsecond
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.
The microsecond is derived from the SI base unit, the second, using the metric prefix 'micro-', indicating a factor of 10⁻⁶. Its use became prevalent with the advent of electronic computers, radar technology, and high-speed photography.
Common Uses and Applications: shakes vs microseconds
Explore the typical applications for both Shake (imperial/US) and Microsecond (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
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.
When to Use microseconds
- Computing: Measuring instruction execution times in older processors, interrupt latency, bus transfer times.
- Physics: Duration of certain chemical reactions, some nuclear events, timing in particle accelerators.
- Electronics: Defining pulse widths in digital signals, measuring signal delays in circuits.
- Biology: Duration of nerve impulses, time scale for certain enzymatic reactions.
- Everyday: The flash duration of a typical camera strobe is a few microseconds.
Additional Unit Information
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.
About Microsecond (μs)
How many microseconds are in one second?
There are 1,000,000 (one million) microseconds in a second.
How many microseconds are in one millisecond?
There are 1,000 microseconds in a millisecond.
What does the symbol μs mean?
The symbol 'μ' (mu) is the Greek letter used as the metric prefix for micro (10⁻⁶), and 's' stands for second.
Conversion Table: Shake to Microsecond
| Shake (shake) | Microsecond (μs) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.005 |
| 1 | 0.01 |
| 1.5 | 0.015 |
| 2 | 0.02 |
| 5 | 0.05 |
| 10 | 0.1 |
| 25 | 0.25 |
| 50 | 0.5 |
| 100 | 1 |
| 250 | 2.5 |
| 500 | 5 |
| 1,000 | 10 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Shake to Microsecond?
To convert Shake to Microsecond, enter the value in Shake in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our time converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Shake to Microsecond?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Shake and Microsecond. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Microsecond back to Shake?
Yes! You can easily convert Microsecond back to Shake by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Microsecond to Shake converter page. You can also explore other time conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Shake and Microsecond?
Shake and Microsecond are both standard units used in time measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our time converter for more conversion options.
For more time conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
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Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Official time standards and definitions
Bureau International des Poids et Mesures — Definition of the SI base unit for time
Last verified: December 3, 2025