Science For All | What are atomic clocks, how precise do they get?

Given the technological advances of the present, we need clocks that will keep time to a very high accuracy. Roughly speaking, an atomic clock contains an element like cesium or calcium and a source of microwave radiation. By tuning the microwave source and observing at what frequency the transition takes place, the exact value of the characteristic frequency is calculated and from this the time can be measured accurately. The official definition of a second today is given by the frequency needed to make electrons transition between two levels in a cesium atom. From the Science pages Why cloudburst forecast in India still remains elusive JNCASR’s novel molecule prevents obesity in mice Aiming to build molecular neuromorphic computing technology Question Corner How common are water-containing exoplanets?