Convert Shakes to Microcenturies
Convert Shakes (sh) to Microcenturies (µcy) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
µcy = sh × 3.168808781e-12
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.
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.
Quick Reference Table
| Shakes (sh) | Microcenturies (µcy) |
|---|---|
| 1 sh | 3.169 × 10-12 µcy |
| 2 sh | 6.338 × 10-12 µcy |
| 5 sh | 1.584 × 10-11 µcy |
| 10 sh | 3.169 × 10-11 µcy |
| 25 sh | 7.922 × 10-11 µcy |
| 50 sh | 1.584 × 10-10 µcy |
| 100 sh | 3.169 × 10-10 µcy |