How does atomic timekeeping work

It synchronizes the frequency of the radio waves with the peak number of cesium atoms striking it. Other electronics in the atomic clock count this frequency. As with a single swing of the pendulum, a second is ticked off when the frequency count is met. The first quality atomic clocks made in the s were based on cesium, and such clocks honed to greater precisions over the decades remain the basis used to keep official time throughout the world.

The NIST-F1 cesium atomic clock can produce a frequency so precise that its time error per day is about 0. Super-accurate timekeeping is integral to many elements of modern life, such as high-speed electronic communications, electrical grids and the Global Positioning System GPS and of course knowing when your favorite television show comes on.

Super titaniUm. Email Sign Up. Be the first to know about new products and exclusive offers. Month MM 01 02 03 04 05 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 In essence, an atomic clock is the most accurate ticker on the market. For instance, an atomic watch is adjusted by an atomic clock, which means they keep their adjustment by receiving radio signals from that clock.

By using an atomic clock, you can tell the exact time utilizing the exacting precision of NASA, given NASA even uses the atomic clock during its rocket countdowns. It will take many hours to explain the exact science behind the atomic clock, but simply put, this timepiece identifies the exact length of one second by calculating the total number of beats of the caesium particle.

The number of caesium frequencies that happens in a second is 9,,, The variable that is being computed is the beats of the electrons across levels of energy. This can be accurately determined by the observing microwave signals that are produced by electrons in transition. Given that it is faster to compute the speed of slower targets, and atoms move at a relatively slow rate at lower temperatures, atomic clocks cool the particles at absolute zero temperature.

It is also imperative to note that all timepieces suffer from clock drift, a term which essentially refers to the desynchronization of a watch from its baseline clock. If your watch was initially synched by the atomic clock, it will run delayed at some point. After one year from purchase, if you were to contrast the time of your watch to that of an atomic timepiece, you will inarguably notice some timing discrepancy.

Even atomic timepieces drift at times, but on average, the drift happens only one second every million years. This means that the discrepancy is too small to be noticeable. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Physical Science. Nuclear Science. What is an atomic clock and how does it work? The Official U. Cite This! Try Our Sudoku Puzzles!