Convert Newtons to Attonewtons
Convert Newtons (N) to Attonewtons (aN) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
aN = N × 1.000000000e+18
About Newtons
The newton (N) is the SI unit of force - the force to accelerate 1 kg at 1 m/s², defined as 1 N = 1 kg·m/s². Named after Sir Isaac Newton and adopted in 1960. One newton is the weight of a ~102 g apple. Everyday forces: gentle finger press ~1 N; handshake 150-200 N; human bite 500-700 N; car emergency braking 5,000-15,000 N; turbofan engine thrust ~300 kN; Boeing 747 lift at cruise ~2,800 kN. The newton is universally used in science and engineering worldwide. 1 N = 1 kg·m/s² = 0.22481 lbf.
About Attonewtons
An attonewton (aN) is 10⁻¹⁸ N - the force scale of individual photon recoil and quantum vacuum effects. The thermal noise floor of an AFM cantilever at room temperature is ~1-10 aN/√Hz. A 532 nm photon absorbed by a trapped ion imparts ~0.3 aN of recoil. Casimir forces between conducting surfaces 10-100 nm apart are 1-100 aN. NEMS resonators have demonstrated force sensitivity below 1 aN/√Hz, enabling single-molecule adsorption detection. Optomechanical cavities probe radiation pressure at the attonewton scale to test quantum measurement limits. 1 aN = 10⁻¹⁸ N.
Quick Reference Table
| Newtons (N) | Attonewtons (aN) |
|---|---|
| 1 N | 1 × 1018 aN |
| 2 N | 2 × 1018 aN |
| 5 N | 5 × 1018 aN |
| 10 N | 1 × 1019 aN |
| 25 N | 2.5 × 1019 aN |
| 50 N | 5 × 1019 aN |
| 100 N | 1 × 1020 aN |