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Prospects for Atomic Clocks However, these atomic clocks have their limitations. The electrons on which they are based reside outside the atoms, making them vulnerable to external interference such as stray magnetic fields or other environmental influences. This interference can slightly change the energy levels of the electrons and, as a result, change the operating time of the clock. This is where nuclear clocks come to the rescue. Unlike atomic clocks, they will use the energy transitions of nuclei within atoms, protecting them from external interference.