What is Atomic Clocks ????

Saturday, September 02, 2006

What is an atomic clock and how does it work?

Atomic clocks use resonating frequencies of atoms to keep time with extreme accuracy. They function by absorbing or emitting frequencies of electromagnetic radiation by the quantum transition (energy change) of an atom or molecule. These transitions produce extremely regular waves of electromagnetic radiation. These waves are then counted. The cesium-beam atomic clock is the most accurate standard of atomic time and frequency. It is so accurate that two cesium clocks will have to run for 6,000 years before they differ in their readings by more than one second.

posted by Joby on 4:47 PM | Permalink |

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