centinewtons

A centinewton is a unit of force in the metric system. It is defined as one hundredth of a newton. The newton, symbolized by N, is the SI derived unit of force. Therefore, one centinewton is equivalent to 0.01 newtons. This unit is part of the centi prefix, which denotes a factor of 10⁻². Consequently, 100 centinewtons equal one newton.

The centinewton is not a commonly used unit in everyday scientific or engineering contexts. The newton itself is the standard unit for force, and for smaller forces, it is more typical to use sub-multiples like millinewtons or micronewtons, or simply express the force in newtons with decimal notation. However, the centinewton is a valid derived unit and can be employed when a convenient scale is needed for specific applications.

For practical purposes, understanding the relationship between centinewtons and newtons is straightforward. If a force is measured in centinewtons, dividing the value by 100 will yield the equivalent force in newtons. Conversely, multiplying a force in newtons by 100 will give its value in centinewtons. For instance, a force of 50 centinewtons is equal to 0.5 newtons.