Convert Poundal (pdl) to Femtogram (fg) instantly.
About these units
Poundal (pdl)
The poundal is the unit of force in the foot–pound–second (FPS) system, defined as the force that accelerates a one-pound mass at one foot per second squared. Although a force unit, it interacts with mass units in engineering contexts similarly to inertial mass units. Historically, poundals appeared in older physics textbooks and engineering references before the widespread adoption of SI units. Their use has declined dramatically, but they remain part of the history of classical mechanics education. The poundal exemplifies how many different systems attempted to rationalize force, mass, and acceleration before the international community converged on the SI newton.
Femtogram (fg)
A femtogram is 10⁻¹⁵ grams, an extraordinarily small unit used primarily in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and particle science. At this scale, masses correspond to small clusters of molecules, fragments of genetic material, or trace contaminants in environmental samples. In genomics, for example, the femtogram level may represent the mass of DNA extracted from just a few cells, pushing the limits of current sequencing technologies. Advanced mass spectrometers and nanoscale resonators can detect femtogram-level differences, revealing chemical changes invisible at larger scales. The femtogram symbolizes the reach of modern science into realms once thought beyond measurement. As techniques continue to improve, femtogram-level precision will become increasingly common in nanotechnology and biophysics.