Maguire, Phil and Moser, Philippe and Maguire, Rebecca (2016) Understanding the foundations of measurement: Why a clock that ticks randomly is the best clock. Physics Essays, 29 (4). pp. 574-581. ISSN 0836-1398

Preview

Download (85kB) | Preview

Abstract

In this article, we examine how a competition to find the world’s most accurate clock might be run. How could the winning clock be identified if it outperforms every existing standard for timing? The intuitive view on time-keeping is that a good clock is one that keeps time consistently and hence agrees with other clocks. This view, we argue, is mistaken. Measurement is fundamentally about making high-quality predictions. Accordingly, the goal is not consistency, but independence between the clock and its environment. We propose that, counter-intuitively, the best clock is the one that ticks most unpredictably, making its predictions the most difficult to beat. The organizers of the clock competition should award the prize to the clock that ticks most randomly.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Metrology; Stability; Measurement Standards; Randomness; Prediction; Time;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Computer Science Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	10616
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.4006/0836-1398-29.4.574
Depositing User:	Phil Maguire
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2019 16:33
Journal or Publication Title:	Physics Essays
Publisher:	Physics Essays Publication
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads