Which one of the following correctly describes the principle of the wo

Which one of the following correctly describes the principle of the working of an atomic clock?

[amp_mcq option1=”Vibration of a small quartz crystal” option2=”Simple harmonic motion of atoms inside a crystal” option3=”Resonant frequency in cesium (or rubidium) atom” option4=”Excitation and de-excitation of hydrogen atoms” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2024

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The correct answer is C. An atomic clock works based on the precise and stable resonant frequency of atoms, typically Cesium or Rubidium.

The principle of an atomic clock relies on the natural, constant frequency associated with transitions between different energy levels of atoms, which are independent of external conditions and thus provide a highly stable frequency standard.

Modern atomic clocks define the second based on the radiation frequency corresponding to the transition between two specific hyperfine levels of the ground state of the Cesium-133 atom. Rubidium clocks are also used, offering portability at slightly lower accuracy than Cesium primary standards. Quartz crystal vibrations are used in quartz clocks, which are less accurate than atomic clocks.

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