Atomic clocks keep time better than any other clock. They even keep time better than the rotation of the Earth and the movement of the stars. Without atomic clocks, GPS navigation would be impossible, the Internet would not synchronize, and the position of the planets would not be known with enough accuracy for space probes and landers to be launched and monitored.
Atomic clocks are not radioactive. They do not rely on atomic decay. Rather, they have an oscillating mass and a spring, just like ordinary clocks.
The big difference between a standard clock in your home and an atomic clock is that the oscillation in an atomic clock is between the nucleus of an atom and the surrounding electrons. This oscillation is not exactly a parallel to the balance wheel and hairspring of a clockwork watch, but the fact is that both use oscillations to keep track of passing time. The oscillation frequencies within the atom are determined by the mass of the nucleus and the gravity and electrostatic "spring" between the positive charge on the nucleus and the electron cloud surrounding it.
FAQs
In an atomic clock, the frequency of the quartz oscillator is transformed into a frequency that is applied to a collection of atoms. If the derived frequency is correct, it will cause many electrons in the atoms to change energy levels. If the frequency is incorrect, far fewer electrons will jump.
How does an atomic clock work simple? ›
An atomic clock works like a conventional clock but the time-base of the clock, instead of being an oscillating mass as in a pendulum clock, is based on the properties of atoms when transitioning between different energy states. An atom, when excited by an external energy source, goes to a higher energy state.
How do atomic clocks get their signal? ›
Atomic clocks in the US set themselves by picking up a radio signal out of Colorado. For best results select a location where it will be at least six feet away from a TV, computer, air-conditioner or other household electrical appliances.
How do atomic clocks change time? ›
AcuRite atomic clocks use a radio-controlled signal to synchronize to the correct time broadcast by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Radio Station WWVB, located near Fort Collins, Colorado. WWVB broadcasts the current time and date with split-second accuracy.
What makes atomic clocks accurate? ›
The principle underlying the cesium clock is that all atoms of cesium-133 are identical and, when they absorb or release energy, produce radiation of exactly the same frequency, which makes the atoms perfect timepieces.
What is the doomsday clock in 2024? ›
Doomsday Clock remains at a minute and a half to midnight in 2024—closest ever to apocalypse | University of Chicago News.
Will an atomic clock reset itself? ›
If the movement successfully receives the signal, the clock will reset automatically to the correct time. Generally, reception of the WWVB signal takes approximately 3-15 minutes. If the clock still fails to receive the signal while in the WAVE mode, the clock will automatically leave the WAVE mode.
Do we still use atomic clocks? ›
Atomic clocks are used in many scientific disciplines, such as for long-baseline interferometry in radio astronomy.
Do all atomic clocks set themselves? ›
Can atomic clocks be set manually? Yes. All of our clocks offer a manual set option. However, we should note that outside of our UltrAtomic options, our analog atomic clocks will automatically adjust according to your settings when they receive the WWVB radio signal.
Why didn't my atomic clock change? ›
This is probably due to a reception problem. Your clock hasn't received the signal recently, so it didn't know about the time change. Most digital radio controlled clocks have an indicator on the display that tells you if the signal is being received properly.
Overall, atomic clocks offer significant advantages over quartz clocks in terms of accuracy, stability, durability and universality. Atomic clocks, however, are also more expensive, larger, and consume more power.
Where is the most accurate atomic clock in the world? ›
Physicists have built the most accurate clock ever: one that gains or loses only one second every 40 billion years1. Alexander Aeppli at the research institute JILA in Boulder, Colorado, and his collaborators suspended 40,000 strontium atoms in a vacuum using a pattern of standing light waves.
Can atomic clocks lose time? ›
Extremely Accurate Atomic Clock Loses One Second Every 300 Billion Years.
What is the simplest atomic clock? ›
The Rubidium atomic clock, the simplest and most compact of all, use a glass cell of rubidium gas that changes its absorption of light at the optical rubidium frequency when the surrounding microwave frequency is just right.
