Convert seconds to nanoseconds on a calculator?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around converting seconds to nanoseconds, specifically how to perform this conversion using a calculator. Participants explore different methods and clarify the relationship between these units of time.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests multiplying seconds by 1 billion to convert to nanoseconds.
  • Another participant proposes using the scientific notation 1e9 for the conversion.
  • There is a clarification that dividing by 1 billion is equivalent to dividing by 10^9, and some participants discuss the implications of this notation.
  • A participant emphasizes that unit conversion involves multiplying by 1, using the example of converting 1.23 seconds to nanoseconds.
  • Additional participants provide context about the definitions of various metric prefixes, such as milli, micro, nano, and others.
  • Some participants express confusion over the notation used, with one noting the difference between 1/1E9 and 1X1E9.
  • There is a side discussion about the definition of a billion, with references to historical and regional differences in its meaning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of converting seconds to nanoseconds by multiplying by 1 billion, but there is some confusion regarding the notation and definitions of billion. The discussion includes multiple viewpoints on the clarity of the conversion process.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the historical definitions of a billion, indicating that there may be regional differences in understanding the term. Additionally, there are unresolved questions about the notation used in the conversion process.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals seeking to understand unit conversions in time measurement, particularly in scientific contexts, as well as those interested in the nuances of metric prefixes and their definitions.

Arsonade
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hye this might b a stupid question to ask here but how would one convert seconds to nanoseconds on a calculator? a program for TI format would answer my question (if u know how) or just an equation

Thanks

Adam
 
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Just MULTIPLY seconds by 1 billion!
 
Last edited:
Multiply by 1e9
 
whoa, 2 different answers, whos right?

Adam
 
nano <=> 10E-9
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Dividing by 1 billion is the same as dividing by 109.

Perhaps kawikdx225 mean "multiply by 10-9".
 
HallsofIvy said:
Dividing by 1 billion is the same as dividing by 109.

Perhaps kawikdx225 mean "multiply by 10-9".

No, I meant multiply by 1e9 ie 1000000000

1 second = 1000000000 nanoseconds
 
Let's just clarify this.

[tex]1\ ns= 10^{-9}\ s = \frac{1\ s}{10^9}[/tex]

Technically speaking, of course, when we "convert units" we really only multiply the measured quantity by 1... otherwise you change the quantity.
Depending on the conversion you desire, write 1 using
[tex]1 =\frac{10^{-9}\ s}{1\ ns} =\frac{1\ ns}{10^{-9}\ s}[/tex]


[tex]1.23\ s = 1.23\ s (1) = 1.23\ s \left( \frac{1\ ns}{10^{-9}\ s} \right)<br /> =1.23\ ( 10^{9}\ ns) = 1.23 \times 10^{9}\ ns[/tex]
 
Sorry about that - I typed the wrong thing and had to run before proofing. Thanks to all for catching my error.
 
  • #10
robphy said:
Let's just clarify this.

[tex]1\ ns= 10^{-9}\ s = \frac{1\ s}{10^9}[/tex]

Technically speaking, of course, when we "convert units" we really only multiply the measured quantity by 1... otherwise you change the quantity.
Depending on the conversion you desire, write 1 using
[tex]1 =\frac{10^{-9}\ s}{1\ ns} =\frac{1\ ns}{10^{-9}\ s}[/tex]


[tex]1.23\ s = 1.23\ s (1) = 1.23\ s \left( \frac{1\ ns}{10^{-9}\ s} \right)<br /> =1.23\ ( 10^{9}\ ns) = 1.23 \times 10^{9}\ ns[/tex]

Wow, look guys this is simple.

1nS = 1e-9 seconds
1 second = 1e9 nanoseconds
The original poster wants to convert seconds to nanoseconds so we multiply by 1 billion.

Lets use small numbers. :smile:
lets convert 1 second to nanoseconds. 1 x 1e9 = 1 billion. 1 second = 1 billion nanoseconds. See it's simple. :biggrin:
 
  • #11
milli = 10-3
micro = 10-6
nano = 10-9
pico = 10-12
femto = 10-15
atto = 10-18

Just in case you need to do more converting. :smile:
 
  • #12
ok i got it, thanks guys

Adam
 
  • #13
Not particularly relevant to the thread but am I correct in thinking that in America 109 is 1 billion?
 
  • #14
yeah, but one person sed 1/1E9 and one person sed 1X1E9 and at the time i had too much work to just figure it out with common sense so yeah

Adam
 
  • #15
Zurtex said:
Not particularly relevant to the thread but am I correct in thinking that in America 109 is 1 billion?

Yes, 1 billion is 109 almost every in the world, including where I am from, Asia. However, 10-9 is called nano-.

Just for fun, some additional information for scientific notation:
kilo = 103
mega = 106
giga = 109
tera = 1012
peta = 1015
exa = 1018
 
  • #16
recon said:
Yes, 1 billion is 109 almost every in the world, including where I am from,
Actually by the original definition billion is 1012. (And still the definition in England)

Billion quite simply means bi-million, as in a million millions.

Trillion means tri-million, as in a million million millions (1018)

Quadrillion... etc..
 
  • #18
k thanx

Adam
 

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