Convert Nanoseconds to Shakes
Convert Nanoseconds (ns) to Shakes (sh) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
sh = ns × 0.1
About Nanoseconds
A nanosecond (ns) = 10⁻⁹ s; light travels ~30 cm - Grace Hopper distributed 30 cm wire segments as physical 'nanoseconds' to illustrate latency. CPU clock cycles at 3-5 GHz: 0.2-0.33 ns. DDR5 CAS latency ~10 ns. GPS requires <3 ns timing accuracy for sub-metre positioning. Lightning return strokes rise in 100-200 ns. Data-centre 400GbE switch latency 300-500 ns. 1 ns = 10⁻⁹ s.
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
| Nanoseconds (ns) | Shakes (sh) |
|---|---|
| 1 ns | 0.1 sh |
| 2 ns | 0.2 sh |
| 5 ns | 0.5 sh |
| 10 ns | 1 sh |
| 25 ns | 2.5 sh |
| 50 ns | 5 sh |
| 100 ns | 10 sh |