Atom (time)
An atom of time is the smallest possible unit of time.[1][verification needed]
History
[edit | edit source]One of the earliest occurrences of the word "atom" to mean the smallest possible unit of measuring time is found in the Greek text of the New Testament in Paul's 1 Corinthians 15:52. The text compares the length of time of the "atom" to the time needed for "the twinkling of an eye." The text reads: "ἐν ἀτόμῳ, ἐν ῥιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ" – "en atomo, en ripe ophthamou" – the word "atom" is usually translated "a moment" – "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye".
It was later referred to in medieval philosophical writings in this sense as the smallest possible division of time. The earliest known occurrence in English is in Byrhtferth's Enchiridion of 1010–1012,[2] where it was defined as 1/564 of a momentum (1½ minutes),[3] and thus equal to almost 160 milliseconds. It was used in the computus, the calculation used to determine the calendar date of Easter.[citation needed]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value). Draft Revision. (contains relevant citations from Byrhtferth's Enchiridion)
