Home > Terms > English, UK (UE) > Cesium clock

Cesium clock

An atomic clock in which the characteristic frequency of 9 192 631 770 cycles per second of the cesium atom is used to determine the basic time interval for the clock. Because the second is defined by international agreement as the length of time needed for this number of cycles to occur, time intervals given by a cesium clock operating under the conditions specified by the definition have zero error. A cesium clock is therefore used whenever the highest possible accuracy over long intervals is needed. However, over short intervals, the frequency may vary appreciably and clocks with better stability over short intervals may be used to give time over such intervals. Cesium clocks are then used to monitor the time over longer intervals.

This is auto-generated content. You can help to improve it.
0
Improve it
More
Collect to Blossary

Other Languages:

More

Member comments

You have to log in to post to discussions.

Related terms

cesium clock
Telecommunications; General telecom

A clock containing a cesium standard as a frequency-determining element.

cesium clock
Earth science; Mapping science

An atomic clock in which the characteristic frequency of 9 192 631 770 cycles per second of the cesium atom is used to determine the basic time interval for the clock. Because ...

clock
Internet; Internet communication

One of two kinds of clocks in most computers. The first is a real-time clock, which keeps track of time just like a wall clock or wristwatch and often includes the date. The ...

clock
Automotive; Automobile

(1) An instrument showing the time. (2) An odometer as in the statement I want to buy this car, but it has too many miles on the clock. (3) To record the speed or time that ...

clock
Archaeology; Evolution

See molecular clock.

clock
Engineering; Electronic engineering

In a digital computer or controller, the device or circuit that supplies timing pulses to pace the operation of the system.

subtropical
Earth science; Mapping science

Relating to the warmest region of the Temperate Zones that border on the Torrid Zone.

sky
Earth science; Mapping science

The region above and beyond the Earth, as it is seen looking up from the ground. Sky looks blue during the day and dark at night.

South Pole
Earth science; Mapping science

The most southern point of the Earth. The South Pole is the southern end of the axis on which the Earth rotates.

prime meridian
Earth science; Mapping science

The line of longitude that passes through the town of Greenwich, England, and that measures 0 degree. It is the line from which other longitude lines are measured.

planet
Earth science; Mapping science

A celestial body revolving around a sun in a nearly circular orbit. This definition excludes comets, which have highly elliptical orbits. However, it may also exclude some of ...

area of error
Earth science; Mapping science

A figure within which the true location of a point whose location has been determined by measurement is believed to lie, with stated degree of probability.

Terms in the News

Featured Terms

Harry8L
  • 0

    Terms

  • 0

    Blossaries

  • 1

    Followers

Industry/Domain: Politics Category: Protest

George Clooney arrest

George Clooney, the Hollywood star, was arrested on March 16, 2012 for protesting outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington DC. Along with his father ...

Contributor

Featured blossaries

MMO Gamer

Category: Entertainment   1 20 Terms

Factors affecting the Securities Market

Category: Business   1 8 Terms

Browers Terms By Category

TERMS

SOCIAL

EXTRAS

SOLUTIONS