what is the time difference between utc and est?

The world revolves on a 24-hour clock, divided up into different standardized time zones. UTC, standing for Coordinated Universal Time, is the primary point of reference when discussing time differences in the world. Eastern Standard Time (EST) is an offshoot of UTC that is typically used to measure time differences in North America. To understand the difference between UTC and EST, it's important to understand how they each work and why they exist.

UTC is the official world-wide standard for all clocks and watches, which means most other time zones are based off its reference point. This system has been updated multiple times over the years to keep up with advances in science as far as calculating atomic time goes. UTC also relaxes by a second from time to time in order to match leap seconds that occur due to ongoing changes on our planet (such as slight shifting of the earth's rotational axis).

EST is an offset of UTC; it is one of the approximate 24 standard time zones that starts at Greenwich Mean Time and adds 5 hours ahead, making it 4 hours behind UTC. For example, if it is 12pm during Eastern Standard Time (EST), then this would be 4pm Universal Coordinated Time (UTC). Across North America, Daylight Savings Time also plays a role in how EST adjusts: while other parts of North America might follow mountain or central standard times during certain parts of the year, EST remains consistent with adding 5 hours ahead regardless of Daylight Savings adjustments taking place elsewhere.

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