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Does time exist outside of space/matter?

Isn't time (like darkness) merely a description of a state of space / matter?

It was/wasn't here, now it's here?

Time, like space, is a relational concept -- e.g. the motion of an entity relative to the motion of another, and the position of an entity relative to that of another. Observe that we measure time in terms of the repetitive motion of chosen entities.

But very cold entities - almost not moving. The latest 'atomic' clock uses "spin-polarized, ultracold atomic ytterbium". Its not the particle motion per se that's being measured; its fields around the particle, right? Not at all relative motion.

Yes, these electronic transitions are a form of motion, too. Change is not limited to mechanics.

Sure; but to define time as motion, and motion as time, is circular and not very useful. It doesn't explain anything.

Aren't these fields thought to be even smaller particles? Like the hypothetical graviton. So everything could be made of particles, even forces like gravity.

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