international atomic time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "international atomic time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a time standard that is based on atomic timekeeping and is used internationally. Example: "The conference will start at 10:00 international atomic time, so please adjust your clocks accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

International Atomic Time (TAI; introduced in 1955) is covered in the section Atomic time.

Britannica

To define Earth's spin changes, we consider ΔLOD as the difference between astronomically measured universal time (UT1) and international atomic time (French, Temps Atomique International; TAI): varDelta mathrm{L}mathrm{O}mathrm{D}=-{mathrm{LOD}}_0frac{dleft(mathrm{U}mathrm{T}1-mathrm{T}mathrm{A}mathrm{I}right)}{dleft(mathrm{T}mathrm{A}mathrm{I}right)} (1).

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

International atomic inspectors, he added, supervised the destruction.

The New York Times

By postulates, atomic time is the uniform time of electromagnetism.

Britannica

UT2 has since been superseded by atomic time.

Britannica

Until the 1990s the cesium beam atomic clock was the most accurate standard of atomic time and frequency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For one thing, he said, the international atomic agency had been allowed to examine only parts of the archive.

The New York Times

"It is clearly a concern, the proximity to Abkhazia," said an official of the international atomic agency in Vienna.

The New York Times

Both the above equations for TDT can be valid only if dynamical and atomic times are equivalent (see below Atomic time: SI second).

Britannica

NPL, based in Teddington, London, is Britain's national measurement institute and the birthplace of atomic time.

The Guardian

President Eisenhower to-day proposed the creation of an international atomic energy agency under the aegis of the United Nations, to be responsible for the firm control, storage, and protection of the materials that go into hydrogen and atomic bombs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a precise time for international events, use "international atomic time" or its abbreviation (TAI) to avoid ambiguity, especially in technical or scientific contexts. Ensure your audience understands this is a highly accurate standard.

Common error

Don't use "international atomic time" interchangeably with "Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)". While both are based on atomic clocks, UTC includes leap seconds to stay aligned with the Earth's rotation, which TAI does not. Use TAI when precision is paramount and leap seconds are irrelevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "international atomic time" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a specific time scale maintained by atomic clocks and used internationally. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which indicates its use in defining Earth's spin changes and specifying the basis for leap seconds.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "international atomic time" is a noun phrase that refers to a highly precise time scale based on atomic clocks and used internationally. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and relevance in scientific and technical contexts. While less common than "coordinated universal time" (UTC), "international atomic time" is crucial when utmost accuracy is required. It's important to avoid confusing it with UTC, as the latter incorporates leap seconds to align with the Earth's rotation, which "international atomic time" does not. When writing about time standards, consider your audience and the level of precision needed to determine whether "international atomic time" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

International time standard based on atomic clocks

More descriptive, clarifying that the time standard is based on atomic clocks.

Coordinated universal time

More widely recognized term for the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time.

Atomic clock standard

Focuses on the instrument used to measure time rather than the internationally agreed-upon time itself.

Globally coordinated atomic time

Highlights the globally coordinated nature of atomic time.

Temps atomique international

The French term for International Atomic Time, useful in multilingual contexts.

Worldwide atomic timekeeping

Highlights the practice of maintaining time using atomic clocks globally.

Global atomic timescale

Emphasizes the scale or system of timekeeping based on atomic clocks across the world.

Universal atomic reference time

Emphasizes the use of atomic time as a universal point of reference.

World atomic time

A simplified version, focusing on the global and atomic aspects of the time standard.

Atomic time synchronization

Focuses on the act of synchronizing time using atomic clocks internationally.

FAQs

What is the difference between "international atomic time" and "coordinated universal time"?

"International atomic time" (TAI) is a continuous and uniform time scale based on atomic clocks, while "coordinated universal time" (UTC) is also based on atomic clocks but includes leap seconds to align with the Earth's rotation. TAI is more precise, but UTC is more practical for everyday use.

When is it appropriate to use "international atomic time" instead of "coordinated universal time"?

Use "international atomic time" when precision and uniformity are crucial, such as in scientific research, satellite navigation, and telecommunications. For general purposes and legal time, "coordinated universal time" is more appropriate.

How is "international atomic time" measured?

"International atomic time" is measured by averaging the readings of hundreds of atomic clocks located around the world. The Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) combines these readings to create a highly stable and accurate time scale.

What are some alternative ways to refer to "international atomic time"?

You can use phrases like "atomic time standard" or "temps atomique international" (the French term). In many contexts, "coordinated universal time" (UTC) serves as a sufficient substitute, though it's not precisely the same.