Question

You see an advertisement for an atomic clock.you also know that radioactive decay emits harmful radiation. Do you think the atomic clock contains decaying isotopes. Explain

Answer 1

Atomic clock doesn’t contain decaying isotopes.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is the decay of radioactive elements that emit radiations and most of these are harmful to life. But atomic clock doesn’t work on the principle of atomic decay. There is no atomic decay occurring in an atomic clock and thus there is no harmful radiation being emitted from the atomic clock.

Caesium atomic clocks, rubidium atomic clocks etc are some of the atomic clocks. The working principle of atomic clocks is the transition of atoms between various energy levels.

The frequency of Electromagnetic signal emitted during transition of atoms to higher energy levels is the basic factor that determines the working and efficiency of an atomic clock.