Convert Poundal to Nanonewtons
Convert Poundal (pdl) to Nanonewtons (nN) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
nN = pdl × 138254954.4
About Poundal
The poundal (pdl) is the force unit of the foot-pound-second absolute system - the force to accelerate 1 pound at 1 ft/s² - approximately 0.1383 N. Introduced in 1877 by Thomson and Tait as the FPS analogue of the CGS dyne (1 dyn = 1 g·cm/s²; 1 pdl = 1 lb·ft/s²). The poundal is distinct from pound-force: since standard gravity = 32.174 ft/s², 1 lbf = 32.174 pdl. It survives in older British engineering texts and early 20th-century thermodynamics literature, but is otherwise obsolete. 1 pdl = 0.138254954376 N = 1/32.174 lbf.
About Nanonewtons
A nanonewton (nN) is 10⁻⁹ N - the force scale of AFM, MEMS, and nanoscale adhesion. AFM contact-mode tip-sample forces are held to 1-100 nN to image surfaces without damage. A single gecko seta generates ~200 nN of adhesion via van der Waals forces; one million setae per foot give ~10 N total grip. Smartphone MEMS accelerometers sense nanonewton inertial forces from proof-mass displacements. Carbon nanotubes fracture at forces in the nanonanonewton range per tube. CubeSat cold-gas microthrusters produce single-digit nN thrust for attitude control. 1 nN = 10⁻⁹ N.
Quick Reference Table
| Poundal (pdl) | Nanonewtons (nN) |
|---|---|
| 1 pdl | 138255000 nN |
| 2 pdl | 276510000 nN |
| 5 pdl | 691275000 nN |
| 10 pdl | 1.383 × 109 nN |
| 25 pdl | 3.456 × 109 nN |
| 50 pdl | 6.913 × 109 nN |
| 100 pdl | 1.383 × 1010 nN |