Atomic Clocks: The clocks that keep the world on time

On The Shoulders of Science
On The Shoulders of Science
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Published 2022-01-28
A continuation of my last video on how quartz clocks function. Atomic clocks are used around the world work together to create the time standard we all live by. The atomic clock uses an ingenious process that relies on the very stable and reliable quantum properties of electrons in specific atoms to keep crazy accurate time. Several diverse things you might not expect, like credit cards, encrypted phone calls, and GPS would not be possible without atomic clocks.

Quartz Clocks Video:    • How Does a Clock Know What Time it is?  

Thank you again so much to Dr. Judah Levine from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for your time and help on this video. I was over the moon after speaking with you.
Learn more about the NIST here: www.nist.gov/

And a big thanks to Tom Van Baak for letting me use your images.
Tom's Website: www.leapsecond.com/

And thank you to my beta testing group for your input and suggestions. Your help is very much appreciated :)

Music Accreditations:
Easy Lemon by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc…

Artist: incompetech.com/




Created By Ben Mesko
All Comments (21)
  • @lauraagazzi6629
    I am a physicist working with atomic clocks at the German Aerospace Center. This video is outstanding. Easy to understand, but without sacrificing the scientific accuracy. Kudos to you!
  • @andrewcerul8221
    Well done, referencing credible sources that can be verified in today's world of YouTube is so very important. My kids and I will be tuning-in more, thank you! Horology is fascinating to me.
  • @bangla-sydney
    Thank you so much. You really explained it very well. It was an enlightening experience for me too. Please make a video on optical atomic clocks.
  • @makodgaming
    I just found this channel and I love it man! You're the next Vsauce!
  • @dantecpa
    This is incredible and "easy" to understand ,congrats, saludos desde México!
  • @tzaidi2349
    Interesting! so the cesium or rubidum just serves as a detector mechanism. Great vid. Love ur editing and style.
  • @remykreuzer
    did anyone else think digital clocks were controlled by one clock in each time zone and that’s how they were always on time or how they changed for daylight savings when they were little? it’s cool to see how atomic clocks are actually controlled!
  • @berndp3426
    Challenge: Have three exactly snchronized atomic clocks running at the very same speed in your stationary lab. Send one up to the moon, send the other flying in earth's orbit. They will then run at different speeds. Thats weird but has an explanation which lies buried in how spacetime works in different distances from earth, on the moon and also if these clocks are (all three are!) moving within spacetime. This also is valid for any other type of clock (analog/mechanic/quarz)
  • @johnnemeth6913
    This explains how the clock keeps extremely accurate time, but how does it get synchronized in the first place?
  • @gator1984atcomcast
    GPS gives accurate time as well as position. That is why our iPhones keep such accurate time.