Home / Series / Understanding the Quantum World / Aired Order / Season 1 / Episode 17

Atomic Clocks and GPS

Peer into the structure of a cesium atom to see what makes it ideal for measuring the length of a second and serving as the basis for atomic clocks. Then head into space to learn how GPS satellites use atomic clocks to triangulate positions on the ground. Finally, delve into Einstein’s special and general theories of relativity to understand the corrections that GPS must make to stay accurate.

English
  • Originally Aired March 28, 2019
  • Runtime 30 minutes
  • Network The Great Courses
  • Created June 18, 2021 by
    blueflinko
  • Modified January 29, 2023 by
    RicaRaducanu