View source for Orders of magnitude (force)

{{Short description|none}}
[[File:Force examples.svg|thumb|upright=0.6|right|Examples of force.]]

The following list shows different [[Order of magnitude|orders of magnitude]] of [[force]].

Since [[weight]] under gravity is a force, several of these examples refer to the weight of various objects.  Unless otherwise stated, these are weights under average Earth gravity at sea level.

== Below 1 N ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Factor ([[Newton (unit)|N]])
!Value
!Item
|-
|10{{sup|−47}}<br />
| {{nowrap|3.6{{e|&minus;17}}&thinsp;qN}}
| Gravitational attraction of the proton and the electron in hydrogen atom<ref name="Hugh D. Young 1992">Hugh D. Young, ''University Physics 4th Ed'', 1992, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co, Inc.</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|−30}}<br />[[quectonewton]]&nbsp;(qN)
| 8.9&thinsp;qN
| Weight of an electron<ref name="Hugh D. Young 1992"/>
|-
|10{{sup|−26}}<br />
| 16&thinsp;rN 
| Weight of a hydrogen atom<ref name="Hugh D. Young 1992"/>
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−24}}<br />[[yoctonewton]]&nbsp;(yN)
|5&thinsp;yN
| Force necessary to synchronize the motion of a single trapped ion with an external signal measured in a 2010 experiment<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Knünz | first1 = S. | last2 = Herrmann | first2 = M. | last3 = Batteiger | first3 = V. | last4 = Saathoff | first4 = G. | last5 = Hänsch | first5 = T. | last6 = Vahala | first6 = K. | last7 = Udem | first7 = T. | title = Injection Locking of a Trapped-Ion Phonon Laser | journal = Physical Review Letters | volume = 105 | issue = 1 | pages = 013004 | year = 2010 | pmid = 20867440 | doi = 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.013004 | bibcode=2010PhRvL.105a3004K| url = http://authors.library.caltech.edu/19101/1/Knuenz2010p10792Phys_Rev_Lett.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mpq.mpg.de/cms/mpq/en/news/press/10_08_04.html|title=Single atoms for detecting extremely weak forces|work=Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics|access-date=2010-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826073110/http://www.mpq.mpg.de/cms/mpq/en/news/press/10_08_04.html|archive-date=2010-08-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−22}}
|170&nbsp;yN
| Force measured in a 2010 experiment by perturbing 60 beryllium-9 ions<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1038/news.2010.187| last1 = Brumfiel | first1 = G.| title = Scientists measure atomic nudge| year = 2010| journal = Nature}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|arxiv=1004.0780|title=Ultrasensitive detection of force and displacement using trapped ions|author1=M. J. Biercuk |author2=H. Uys |author3=J. W. Britton |author4=A. P. VanDevender |author5=J. J. Bollinger |journal=Nature Nanotechnology|date=9 Apr 2010|volume=5|issue=9|pages=646–650|doi=10.1038/NNANO.2010.165|pmid=20729835|bibcode=2010NatNa...5..646B|s2cid=119244588 |quote=detection of forces as small as 174 yN}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−15}}<br />[[femtonewton]]&nbsp;(fN)
|&nbsp;
|-
|rowspan=2|10{{sup|−14}}
| ~10 fN
| [[Brownian motion]] force on an ''[[E. coli]]'' bacterium averaged over 1 second<ref name=picotwist_forces>{{cite web|title=Forces involved at the biological level|url=http://www.picotwist.com/index.php?content=smb&option=odg|publisher=PicoTwist|access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref>
|-
| ~10 fN
| Weight of an ''[[E. coli]]'' bacterium<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccdb.ualberta.ca/CCDB/cgi-bin/STAT_NEW.cgi |title=E. coli Statistics |publisher=The [[CyberCell]] Database |access-date=2011-09-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027220034/http://www.ccdb.ualberta.ca/CCDB/cgi-bin/STAT_NEW.cgi |archive-date=2011-10-27 }}</ref><ref>Calculated:  weight = mass * g = 1e-15 kg * 9.81 m/s^2 = 1e-14 N</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−13}}
| ~100 fN
| Force to stretch double-stranded [[DNA]] to 50% relative extension<ref name=picotwist_forces />
|-
|rowspan=2|10{{sup|−12}}<br />[[piconewton]]&nbsp;(pN)
| ~4 pN
| Force to break a [[hydrogen bond]]<ref name=picotwist_forces />
|-
| ~5 pN
| Maximum force of a [[molecular motor]]<ref name=picotwist_forces />
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−11}}
|&nbsp;
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−10}}
| ~160 pN
| Force to break a typical noncovalent bond<ref name=picotwist_forces />
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−9}}<br />[[nanonewton]]&nbsp;(nN)
| ~1.6&nbsp;nN
| Force to break a typical [[covalent bond]]<ref name=picotwist_forces />
|-
|10{{sup|−8}}<br />
| {{nowrap|8.2{{e|&minus;8}}&thinsp;N}}
| Force on an electron in a hydrogen atom<ref name="Hugh D. Young 1992"/>
|-
|10{{sup|−7}}<br />
| {{nowrap|2{{e|&minus;7}}&thinsp;N}}
| Force between two 1 meter long conductors, 1 meter apart by an outdated definition of one [[ampere]]
|-
|10{{sup|−6}}<br />[[micronewton]]&nbsp;(μN)
|1–150&nbsp;μN
| Output of [[FEEP]] [[ion thruster]]s used in NASA's [[Laser Interferometer Space Antenna]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lisa-science.org/list/list_meetings/potsdam_2006/lpf-presentation.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-01-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212124006/http://www.lisa-science.org/list/list_meetings/potsdam_2006/lpf-presentation.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-12 }}</ref>
<!--|-
|10{{sup|−5}}
|25 μN
| -->
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−4}}
|&nbsp;
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−3}}<br />[[millinewton]]&nbsp;(mN)
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-→
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−2}}
|19-92&thinsp;mN
| Thrust of the NSTAR [[Ion thruster|ion engine]] tested on [[NASA]]'s space probe [[Deep Space 1]]<ref>{{cite web|title=NSTAR Ion Thruster|url=http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/ion/past/90s/nstar.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030111164356/http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/ion/past/90s/nstar.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2003|publisher=NASA|access-date=9 January 2012|quote=thrust from 19 mN to 92 mN}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1|10{{sup|−1}}
|&nbsp;
|&nbsp;
|-
|}

== 1 N and above ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Magnitude
!Value
!Item
|-
|rowspan=3|1&thinsp;N
|1.4&thinsp;N
| The weight of a [[smartphone]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guidingtech.com/62803/how-much-does-your-smartphone-weigh/|title = How Much Does Your Smartphone Really Weigh?| date=15 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3097/fs2006-3097.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
|-
|2.5&thinsp;N
| Typical thrust of a [[Dual-Stage 4-Grid]] [[ion thruster]].
|-
|9.8&thinsp;N
| One [[kilogram-force]], nominal weight of a {{convert|1|kg|lbs|abbr=on}} object at sea level on Earth<ref name=NIST_units>{{cite web|title=Appendix B8—Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically|url=http://physics.nist.gov/Pubs/SP811/appenB8.html|work=NIST Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI)|date=2 July 2009|publisher=NIST|access-date=9 January 2012}}</ref>
|-
|10 N
|50 N
|Average force to break the shell of a [[chicken egg]] from a young hen<ref>{{Cite book|last=Damme|first=Klaus|title=Geflügeljahrbuch 2021|publisher=Eugen Ulmer KG|year=2020|isbn=978-3-8186-1186-6|location=Stuttgart, Germany|pages=262–281}}</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|2}} N
|720&thinsp;N
| Average force of human bite, measured at molars<ref>Houston T E, ''Bite Force and Bite Pressure: Comparisons of Humans and Dogs'', 2003 {{cite web |url=http://www.glapbta.com/BFBP.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124154459/http://www.glapbta.com/BFBP.pdf |archive-date=2011-01-24 }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3|10{{sup|3}} N<br />[[kilonewton]]&nbsp;(kN)
|5&thinsp;kN
| The force applied by the engine of a small car during peak acceleration{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} 
|-
|8&thinsp;kN
| The maximum force achieved by [[Olympic weightlifting|weight lifters]] during a '[[clean and jerk]]' lift<ref>The Human Machine By R. McNeill Alexander, Mark Iley, Sally Alexander</ref> (During the clean part)
|-
|9&thinsp;kN
| The [[American alligator#Bite|bite force]] of one adult [[American alligator]]<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Erickson | first1 = G. M. | last2 = Lappin | first2 = A. K. | last3 = Vliet | first3 = K. A. | doi = 10.1017/S0952836903003819 | title = The ontogeny of bite-force performance in American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) | journal = Journal of Zoology | volume = 260 | issue = 3 | pages = 317 | year = 2003 | url = http://www.csupomona.edu/~aklappin/Alligator%20Bite%20Force%20Ontogeny.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607102352/http://www.csupomona.edu/~aklappin/Alligator%20Bite%20Force%20Ontogeny.pdf | archive-date = 2011-06-07 }} 9452 N</ref>
|-
|rowspan=4|10{{sup|4}} N
|16.5&thinsp;kN
| The [[Saltwater Crocodile#Bite|bite force]] of a {{convert|5.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} [[saltwater crocodile]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Crocodiles Have Strongest Bite Ever Measured, Hands-on Tests Show|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/?rptregcta=reg_free_np&rptregcampaign=20131016_rw_membership_r1p_intl_ot_w|access-date=15 March 2012|quote=The "winners"—saltwater crocodiles—slammed their jaws shut with 3,700 pounds per square inch (psi), or 16,460 newtons, of bite force.}}</ref>
|-
|18&thinsp;kN
| The estimated [[Great white shark#Bite force|bite force]] of a {{convert|6.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} adult [[great white shark]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Great White Tops List of Hardest-Biting Sharks|url=http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/09/shark-bite-head.html|work=Discovery News|publisher=Discovery Channel|access-date=21 January 2012|quote=a bite force of 9,320 Newton at the tip of its jaws and 18,216 N at the back of its jaws}}</ref>
|-
|25&thinsp;kN
| Approximate force applied by the motors of a [[Tesla Model S]] during maximal acceleration<ref>Calculated from maximum acceleration of 1.22 g and kerb mass of {{convert|2050|kg|lbs|abbr=on}}.</ref>
|-
|25.5 to 34.5&thinsp;kN
| The estimated bite force of a large {{convert|6.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} adult saltwater crocodile<ref>{{cite journal|title=Insights into the Ecology and Evolutionary Success of Crocodilians Revealed through Bite-Force and Tooth-Pressure Experimentation|year=2012|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0031781|quote=scientifically documented 6.7-meter long Crocodylus porosus individuals were likely capable of molariform bite forces of approximately 27,531 N to 34,424 N (6,187 to 7,736 lbs).|doi-access=free|last1=Erickson|first1=Gregory M.|last2=Gignac|first2=Paul M.|last3=Steppan|first3=Scott J.|last4=Lappin|first4=A. Kristopher|last5=Vliet|first5=Kent A.|last6=Brueggen|first6=John D.|last7=Inouye|first7=Brian D.|last8=Kledzik|first8=David|last9=Webb|first9=Grahame J. W.|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=7|issue=3|pages=e31781|pmid=22431965|pmc=3303775|bibcode=2012PLoSO...731781E}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3|10{{sup|5}} N
|100&thinsp;kN
| The average force applied by seatbelt and airbag to a restrained passenger in a car which hits a stationary barrier at 100&nbsp;km/h<ref>Lawrence Weinstein and John A. Adams, ''Guesstimation'', 2008, Section 6.3.1</ref>
|-
|569&thinsp;kN
| Maximum thrust of a large [[turbofan]] engine ([[General Electric GE90]])
|-
|890&thinsp;kN
| Maximum pulling force (tractive effort) of a single large diesel-electric locomotive<ref name="Hugh D. Young 1992"/>
|-
|rowspan=2|10{{sup|6}} N<br />[[meganewton]]&nbsp;(MN)
|1.8&thinsp;MN
| Thrust of [[Space Shuttle Main Engine]] at lift-off<ref name="P&WFS">{{cite web|url=http://www.pratt-whitney.com/Space_Shuttle_Main_Engine|title=Space Shuttle Main Engine|publisher=Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne|access-date=20 April 2013|quote=109% power level at sea level:  418,000 lb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114175951/http://www.pratt-whitney.com/Space_Shuttle_Main_Engine|archive-date=14 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="EASSME">{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/ssme.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020626223311/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/ssme.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2002|title=SSME|first=Mark|last=Wade|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|access-date=27 October 2011|quote=Launches normally used 104% ... as a maximum}}</ref><ref>Calculated:  418000 lbf * 4.45 N/lbf * (104% launch power level / 109%) = 1.77e6 N.</ref>
|-
|1.9&thinsp;MN
| Weight of the largest Blue Whale<ref name="Hugh D. Young 1992"/>
|-
|10{{sup|7}} N
|35&thinsp;MN
| Thrust of [[Saturn V|Saturn V rocket]] at lift-off<ref>{{cite web|title=What Was the Saturn V?|url=http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/rocketry/home/what-was-the-saturn-v-58.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=21 January 2012|quote=The rocket generated 34.5 million newtons ... of thrust at launch|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110155517/http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/rocketry/home/what-was-the-saturn-v-58.html|archive-date=10 November 2010}}</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|8}} N
|570&thinsp;MN
| Simplistic estimate of [[Radiation pressure#Solar radiation pressure|force of sunlight on Earth]]<ref>1.63 x 10<sup>−14</sup> x gravitational attraction between Earth and Sun, assuming total absorption of sunlight [http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/Numbers/Math/Mathematical_Thinking/sunlight_exerts_pressure.htm Sunlight Exerts Pressure], NASA Glenn LTP Math & Science Resources</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|9}} N<br />[[giganewton]]&nbsp;(GN)
|
|
|-
|10{{sup|20}} N
|200&thinsp;EN
| Gravitational attraction between [[Earth]] and [[Moon]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~do_while/sage/v5i5d.htm |title=The Earth-Moon Equations |access-date=2009-01-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217010943/http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~do_while/sage/v5i5d.htm |archive-date=2012-02-17 }}</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|22}} N
|35&thinsp;ZN
| Gravitational attraction between Earth and [[Sun]]<ref name="imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov">[http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/961029b.html NASA.gov]</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|29}} N
|≈450&thinsp;RN
| Gravitational attraction between [[Milky Way|our Galaxy]] and [[Andromeda Galaxy]]<ref>Calculated from known masses (both {{e|12}} kg) at a distance of 2.5 Mly.</ref>
|-
|10{{sup|44}} N
|1.2 (10{{sup|14}}) QN 
|[[Planck force]]
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Orders of magnitude}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Orders Of Magnitude (Force)}}
[[Category:Orders of magnitude|Force]]