A shake is an informal unit of time equal to 10 nanoseconds (10-8 seconds). It is primarily used by nuclear physicists, particularly in the context of describing the timing of various events in a nuclear explosion or the lifetime of short-lived subatomic particles. The origin of the term likely stems from the colloquial expression "in a shake," implying a very short duration. While not a formally recognized SI unit, it provides a convenient and concise way to express extremely brief time intervals common in the field. The unit helps in conceptualizing the rapid progression of reactions and decays at the nuclear level.
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