caesium clock
1
7.2
- noun
- /ˈsiːziəm klɒk/
- UK
:
reloj de cesio
- Scientists rely on the accuracy of caesium clocks to synchronize satellite communications.
Examples
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Cesium clocks around the planet do run at different rates relative to each other. If you Google it somewhere, you can find a map that keeps track.
Blog text (5) -
It continuously updates its time to the nanosecond... ...by connecting directly to the cesium clock in Colorado... ...via ultrasonic frequency.
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Seeing as the most common time standard is the average of about 200 caesium clocks located all over the world.
Blog text (5) -
Seeing as the most common time standard is the average of about 200 caesium clocks located all over the world, I find the implications intriguing.
Blog text (5) -
We have a whole suite of atomic clocks, cesium clocks, hydrogen mazers, and our cesium fountain.
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I believe that cesium clocks use the crystalline vibrations of cesium, not its radioactive decay, as the time signal.
Blog text (5) -
Not until well into the 20th century did cesium clocks attain the exactitude and reliability of timekeeping needed for quantum physics or space flight.
Academic text (2009) -
The international time standard is based on the precise measurements of caesium clocks located in various countries.
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Research on atomic physics often utilizes data from caesium clocks to ensure timekeeping accuracy.
Synonyms
5
4.3
A very accurate clock that uses atoms to measure time
5
8.6
A very accurate clock used to find position at sea or in science
How Accurate
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an atomic clock that uses caesium atoms' is directly and compositionally derived from 'caesium' (the chemical element) + 'clock' (a timekeeping device): it denotes a clock that relies on caesium. The noun–noun modifier pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the technical sense even if the term itself is specialized.
Etymology
Caesium clock comes from the simple idea of a Caesium atom and a clock because scientists count the steady 'vibrations' of caesium atoms to keep time. Imagine tiny atoms making a perfect, steady 'tick' and the clock counting those ticks. So a Caesium clock means a very accurate timekeeper.