How does an atomic watch work?

Answer 1

An atomic clock counts the vibration of an Atom. It has been verified that so many vibrations of a cesium atom (measured in cycles per second/ frequency) equals one second. So by counting the vibrations of cesium atoms we can have a very accurate and unwavering count of the second.

Often times the time is then broadcast via radio for other clocks around the world to tune in with. I have one in my room! I don't have to set it, just plug it in!

Answer 2

Quartz clocks and watches use the piezo electric effect of a silicon dioxide crystal that generates a tiny voltage across it when deformed. Two wires from gold plated patches are taken from either side of the crystal and the unit is encapsulated in a tiny cylinder. The watch crystal is laser trimmed to oscillate at a chosen frequency. In most watches this is 32,768Hz because it is a multiple of 2 raised to the power of 14. The tuned crystal is wired in an electronic oscillator using a tiny integrated circuit containing a cascade of binary flip flops. These devices divide an incoming frequency in half like going down the octaves on a piano. After 14 iterations through these devices a signal of exactly 1Hz is available to drive a tiny stepping motor. This drives the second hand and the hour and minute hands are driven in the normal way via gears.

Answer 3

I searched >atomic clock < at Wikipedia.org, "The World's Encyclopedia" and got the link in the related links section.

I couldn't possibly beat their introduction paragraph.