Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) is a standardized time used globally as a reference point. The spelling of "universal" is [juːnɪˈvɜːsl] with a "yoo" sound at the beginning followed by "ni," "ver," and "sal." "Coordinated" is [koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪtɪd] with a "koh" sound followed by "or," "di," and "naid." "Time" is spelled as [taɪm] with a long "i" sound and a silent "e." This phonetic transcription helps learners understand the pronunciation of this important time standard.
Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) is a global time standard that references the accurate measurement of time based on atomic clocks. It is widely used in various sectors and serves as a reference point for timekeeping across the globe. UTC is determined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and is calculated using high-precision measurements from multiple atomic clocks in different locations.
UTC is designed to ensure accurate and consistent time measurements across different time zones, making it especially useful for international communications, global navigation systems, and scientific research. It is the successor to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and has been adopted as the primary time standard by many countries worldwide.
UTC has various characteristics that distinguish it from other time standards. It is an international time scale and does not follow the changes in daylight saving time, making it a stable reference. Additionally, UTC is broadcasted by many time signal transmitters worldwide, allowing synchronization of clocks and devices with the standard time.
To express the time in UTC, it is common to use a 24-hour clock format, represented by hours, minutes, and seconds, with a specific offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UT1). This offset accounts for the minor variations in Earth's rotation and helps maintain the accuracy of UTC.
Overall, Universal Coordinated Time provides a consistent and internationally recognized standard for timekeeping, enabling precise coordination and synchronization of activities on a global scale.