Modern Definition of Time & Length Units

AI Thread Summary
The modern definition of a second is based on the radiation of the caesium-133 atom, specifically 9,192,631,770 periods of its transition at absolute zero. The meter is defined as 1/299,792,458 of a light-second. The discussion on how people materially realize these units highlights that individual perceptions of time and length can vary, as personal measurements may not align perfectly with standardized definitions. For instance, someone might estimate a person's height as six feet without precise measurement. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the distinction between scientific definitions and everyday interpretations of these units.
LeoYard
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a) What is the modern definition of the time unit and the length unit?

b) How people actually Materially realize these units ?


(a) in the wiki, it reads:

Second:
Under the International System of Units, the second is currently defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.[1] This definition refers to a caesium atom at rest at a temperature of 0 K (absolute zero). The ground state is defined at zero magnetic field.

Meter: Today, it is defined as 1⁄299 792 458 of a light-second.

Would anybody like to answer question (b) ?
 
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I think in question b you are asking how you, I, or anyone else measures time or length. How we individually realize these units varies from person to person. I can look at a person and say oh, he is 6 feet tall. He is not actually exactly 6 feet tall, but i think he is around that height. I hope that answers your question.
 
Wiki has it correct for part (a).

I'm not quite sure what you are asking in part (b).
 
perhaps the OP is wondering how we actually physically implement a meter, or a second.
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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