Convert Newtons to Piconewtons
Convert Newtons (N) to Piconewtons (pN) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
pN = N × 1000000000000
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 Piconewtons
A piconewton (pN) is 10⁻¹² N - the force scale of molecular biology and nanotechnology. Optical and magnetic tweezers apply 0.1-100 pN forces to single DNA strands and protein complexes. Unzipping one DNA base pair requires ~10-15 pN; a kinesin motor protein stalls at ~7 pN. AFM cantilevers resolve piconewton van der Waals forces between single atoms and surfaces. The covalent C-C bond ruptures under ~4,000 pN in controlled AFM pulling experiments. These forces underpin mechanobiology, drug-target mechanics, and nanofabrication. 1 pN = 10⁻¹² N.
Quick Reference Table
| Newtons (N) | Piconewtons (pN) |
|---|---|
| 1 N | 1 × 1012 pN |
| 2 N | 2 × 1012 pN |
| 5 N | 5 × 1012 pN |
| 10 N | 1 × 1013 pN |
| 25 N | 2.5 × 1013 pN |
| 50 N | 5 × 1013 pN |
| 100 N | 1 × 1014 pN |