atomic clock

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atomic clock

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

atomic clock

1. (Atomic Physics) an extremely accurate clock in which an electrical oscillator is controlled by the natural vibrations of an atomic or molecular system such as caesium or ammonia

2. (Horology) an extremely accurate clock in which an electrical oscillator is controlled by the natural vibrations of an atomic or molecular system such as caesium or ammonia

atom′ic clock′

an extremely accurate electronic clock regulated by the resonance frequency of atoms or molecules of certain substances, as cesium.

[1935–40]

atomic clock

An extremely precise clock whose rate is controlled by the vibration of particular atoms or molecules whose frequency does not change. The standard kind of atomic clock, which is based on the vibrations of cesium atoms, gains or loses 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.

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Noun

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

Translations

Atomuhr

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References in periodicals archive ?

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