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Tech

Your Calculator Watch is Low-Tech: Here's How Atomic Clocks Work (Video)

The tiny little gears of a mechanical clock are beautifully impressive, but when it comes to telling time, they can be off by seconds or more at the end of the day. Quartz clocks are far more precise, sure, but they still aren't perfect. What are the...

The tiny little gears of a mechanical clock are beautifully impressive, but when it comes to telling time, they can be off by seconds or more at the end of the day. Quartz clocks are far more precise, sure, but they still aren’t perfect. What are the punctuality-obsessed to do when they absolutely need to know the perfect time, all the time? Well, invest in an atomic clock, of course.

This video from the National Institute of Science and Technology features NIST physicist Dr. David Wineland discussing the chill vibes of atomic clocks. You see, an atomic clock’s knack for precision stems from their ability to measure time based off of the vibrations of individual atoms. Now, it’s a wee bit more complicated than just that, as Dr. Wineland’s mustache explains, but I’m left with just one question: How can I get one on my wrist?

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