Universität Wien

260113 VO Time and Clocks (2024W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Register/Deregister for this course

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 03.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 10.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 17.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 24.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 31.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 07.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 14.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 21.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 28.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 05.12. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 12.12. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 09.01. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 16.01. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Thursday 23.01. 10:45 - 12:15 Josef-Stefan-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 3. Stk., 1090 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

We will learn about the physical principles of clocks and time-keeping, starting from long ago but concentrating on the present. Along the way we will address many issues, such as: How do you quantify the accuracy of a clock? How do you tell time with an atomic clock? How is “official” time managed? What is a leap second? How does relativity affect clocks? What limits the performance of clocks based on sundials, pendulums, quartz crystals, and atomic transitions?
The contents of the course are not "set in stone." Student input is welcome if there are additional special topics that you are interested in.

Assessment and permitted materials

We will have a written test after the end of the lectures. No books, notes, or other outside material will be needed or permitted.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

A written exam score of at least 50% is necessary to receive a passing grade.

Examination topics

The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the physics associated with clocks, including: sundials, pendulum clocks, quartz clocks, atomic clocks. The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the systems of time used in the world today and the definition of time standards. The student should understand principles of clock accuracy, precision, and statistics. The student should understand some very basic principles of time with regard to special and general relativity. All of this material will be addressed in the lectures.

Reading list

There is no textbook for the course, but suggestions for reading and references will be given. Lecture slides and notes will be provided online via Moodle during the semester.

Association in the course directory

ERGB, UF MA PHYS 01a, UF MA PHYS 01b

Last modified: Tu 11.03.2025 12:46