The second is defined as the duration of 9x10^9 periods of radiation corresponding to the duration of the transition between two hyperfine leels of caesium 133. What would happen with the second if we were able to measure the transition between these same levels with greater precision?

Question

anonymous · Answer

The length of the second would change, or rather, it would be more refined. This is because the length of a second is DEFINED to be the time it takes a certain event to happen. If we can measure that event more precisely, then we have a more precise definition for a second.

anonymous · Answer

See, this is what I thought but because of the allocated marks for the question (I'm revising for a Metrology exam) I thought there might be more to it.