
The Leap Second Explained
Interactive Video
•
Physics, Science
•
11th Grade - University
•
Practice Problem
•
Hard
Wayground Content
FREE Resource
The video explains how Earth's rotation is slowing, causing the day to lengthen by about 2 milliseconds every 100 years. Leap seconds are added to synchronize clocks with Earth's rotation, but the frequency of leap seconds is higher than expected due to historical definitions of a second. The second was redefined in 1960 and 1967 to align with atomic clocks, but discrepancies remain. These discrepancies arise from the difference between the SI second and the solar day. As Earth's rotation continues to slow, leap seconds will become more frequent.
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2 questions
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1.
OPEN ENDED QUESTION
3 mins • 1 pt
How did the atomic clock second inherit discrepancies from previous definitions?
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2.
OPEN ENDED QUESTION
3 mins • 1 pt
Discuss the implications of Earth's rotation slowing down on our timekeeping systems.
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