> Hi Tom, > > by the way, are Cesium and Rb isotopes used in these > clocks radioactive to any degree? I remember on your > website you mentioned that Cesiums have to be shipped > as hazardous material.. > > bye, > Said
Nope. It's an unfortunate myth that "atomic clocks" have anything to do with radioactivity. They are hazmat because all those elements on the left edge of the periodic table react violently with water. This 25-second clip shows the reaction nicely: "Rubidium and Cesium in water" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNdijknRxfU The longer piece below is funny (but the explosion was reportedly faked): "Brainiac Alkali Metals" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m55kgyApYrY /tvb _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
