Re: Define a clock

From: Bill Hobba (bhobba_at_rubbish.net.au)
Date: 10/01/04 

Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:39:12 GMT

"AllYou!" <idaman@conversent.net> wrote in message
news:VOSdndshfqaZ2sHcRVn-ig@conversent.net...
>
> "Daniel Weston" <daniel009@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:4809-415C3C83-128@storefull-3138.bay.webtv.net...
> > A clock is usually defined as 1) periodicy + 2) a counter. It is
> > difficult to understand how such an incorrect definition could obtain so
> > much popularity. This becomes clear when there is provided a black box
> > that meets that definition absolutely but cannot be used as a clock.
> >
> > It is easy enough to make a device that contains periodicy and that
> > counts such periodicy. Assume you are presented with a black box that
> > has periodicy and has achieved a count of 1,467,982 since it was turned
> > on. What does this tell you as to time? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
> > The definition is deeply suspect.
> >
> > A timepiece (clock) should be defined as 1) predictable motion + 2) a
> > translator. The translator translates predictable motion into
> > a rotational day, or some fraction thereof.
> >
> > 1) periodic motion + counter = clock, is FALSE.
> >
> > 2) predictable motion + translator = clock, is TRUE.
>
> So how inaccurate would it be to say that a clock requires a velocity
> through a distance? Is this not the definition of motion?

The inaccuracy has to with the fact clocks exist in which a precise velocity
is an ill defined concept due to QM eg the electrons in a cesium clock emit
radiation due to change in energy levels not velocity. What is required is
a repeatable recurring process - that is all - velocity need not have
anything to do with it. The accuracy of a clock has to do with a
statistical analysis of ensembles of them compared to others.

Bill

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