atomic clock

atomic clock

n.

An extremely precise timekeeping device regulated in correspondence with a characteristic invariant frequency of an atomic or molecular system.

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atomic clock

An extremely precise clock whose rate is controlled by a periodic process (such as vibration, or the absorption or emission of electromagnetic radiation) that occurs at a steady rate in atoms or molecules. The standard atomic clock is based on the vibrations of cesium atoms and is so accurate that it would gain or lose less than one second in three million years. Atomic clocks are used to help track satellites, run navigation systems, and study movements of the Earth's crust.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

atomic clock - a timepiece that derives its time scale from the vibration of atoms or molecules ammonia clock - an atomic clock based on vibrational frequency of the nitrogen atom in the ammonia molecule caesium clock - an atomic clock based on the energy difference between two states of the caesium nucleus in a magnetic field horologe, timepiece, timekeeper - a measuring instrument or device for keeping time