Convert Microcenturies to Shakes
Convert Microcenturies (µcy) to Shakes (sh) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
sh = µcy × 315576000000
About Microcenturies
A microcentury (µcy) = 10⁻⁶ of a Julian century = 3,155.76 s ≈ 52 min 35.76 s. Popularised by Richard Feynman, who told audiences a one-hour lecture was 'approximately one microcentury'. An 87-minute film ≈ 1.65 microcenturies. No formal SI recognition, but a favourite pedagogical example of SI prefixes applied to large bases. 1 µcy = 3,155.76 s = 52.596 min.
About Shakes
A shake = exactly 10 ns (10⁻⁸ s) - the informal unit for fission prompt-neutron generation time, coined at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project (1943-1945). A prompt-neutron generation in a supercritical core takes ~1-10 shakes; a full explosive chain reaction unfolds over ~50-100 shakes. The name alludes to 'two shakes of a lamb's tail'. Still used in reactor physics and weapons-design calculations. 1 shake = 10 ns.
Quick Reference Table
| Microcenturies (µcy) | Shakes (sh) |
|---|---|
| 1 µcy | 3.156 × 1011 sh |
| 2 µcy | 6.312 × 1011 sh |
| 5 µcy | 1.578 × 1012 sh |
| 10 µcy | 3.156 × 1012 sh |
| 25 µcy | 7.889 × 1012 sh |
| 50 µcy | 1.578 × 1013 sh |
| 100 µcy | 3.156 × 1013 sh |