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An atomic clock is a clock that measures time by monitoring the resonant frequency of atoms. It is based on atoms having different energy levels. Electron states in an atom are associated with different energy levels, and in transitions between such states they interact with a very specific frequency of electromagnetic radiation.
In an atomic clock, the natural oscillations of atoms act like the pendulum in a grandfather clock. However, atomic clocks are far more precise than conventional clocks because atomic oscillations have a much higher frequency and are much more stable.
Atomic clocks combine a quartz crystal oscillator with an ensemble of atoms to achieve greater stability. NASA’s Deep Space Atomic Clock will be off by less than a nanosecond after four days and less than a microsecond (one millionth of a second) after 10 years.
An atomic clock is a clock that uses the resonance frequencies of atoms as its resonator. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the resonator is "regulated by the frequency of the microwave electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by the quantum transition (energy change) of an atom or molecule."
Atomic clock, type of clock that uses certain resonance frequencies of atoms (usually cesium or rubidium) to keep time with extreme accuracy. The electronic components of atomic clocks are regulated by the frequency of the microwave electromagnetic radiation.
They use atomic clocks. These remarkable devices tap into frequencies hidden in the hearts of atoms to produce astoundingly stable, accurate ticks of time — far better than any other kind of clock. This animation explains why we use atoms to keep time and how they keep us all on the beat.
What is an atomic clock? An atomic clock is a device that produces electronic 'ticks' at a rate related to certain electromagnetic oscillations of atoms. Atoms produce some of the most stable periodic signals currently known. Therefore, a clock based on these oscillations can be extremely precise.