Article
Article
Time-interval measurement
Article By:
Markowitz, William Department of Physics, Nova University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Last reviewed:January 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.697600
A determination of the duration between two instants of time (epochs). Time intervals are measured with high precision with a digital display counter. An electronic oscillator generates pulses; the count begins with a start signal and ends with a second signal. For an oscillator frequency of 100 MHz, for example, a direct reading is correct to 10 nanoseconds (1 ns = 10−9 s). Two atomic clocks, however, can be compared in epoch to 1 picosecond (1 ps = 10−12 s) by electronic interpolation. See also: Atomic clock; Digital counter; Oscillator; Oscilloscope
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
