A common problem with many clocks is that there are times when they may be wrong. Hundreds of years ago, time did not need to be as accurate. If you are minutes late today, that could put your job in jeopardy. Modern technology has answered this problem with the most accurate time keeping possible. Scientists have used atoms to find a consistent way to keep time. They have also made this information available so that civilians can use it as well.

Atoms have a constant oscillation frequency that can be used to accurately keep time. This is the best way to keep time. Even the rotation of the earth or star tracking has its inconsistencies. Such accurate time keeping is essential for GPS navigation and plotting courses for space probes. Your clock at home doesn't necessarily need such an accurate ticker, but it is nice to know that it is correct.

The machine that uses an atoms oscillation frequency is very complex and expensive. This makes it nearly impossible for you to own an atomic clock of your own, right? Well, there is an atomic clock located in Colorado that is used to keep the standard national time. This clock is equipped with a radio transmitter that feeds a signal for the standard time. Consumer atomic clocks simply read this signal to give the most accurate time. So when the power goes out, the clock can simply reset itself using the signal. There have been problems with clocks reading the signal. The further away you are from Colorado, there is a higher chance that an atomic clock might not receive a signal. Make sure to test a clock before you buy it. Many stores will have a clock on display to ensure that it does work in the local area. If a store will not let you test a clock, beware. Even if you are not far from Colorado, the clock might not have a good receiver.

Without a sufficient signal the clock is usually useless. Most atomic clocks rely on the radio signal and there fore will not function without it.