What Is a Slot (Cardano)?
In the context of Cardano, a slot refers to the smallest unit of time in the blockchain.
Specifically, for Cardano, each slot has a duration of one second.
Within each slot, there is a designated slot leader responsible for creating a single block for that slot.
However, the slot leader has the option to choose not to create a block.
Slot Leader Decisions and Their Impact
Two outcomes occur if a slot leader decides not to create a block.
First, no blocks are created by anyone in that particular slot.
Second, the next slot leader will be selected from a different staking pool compared to what would have been the case if a block had been created.
Empty Slots in Blockchain
Each slot is associated with a single block that is produced by the designated slot leaders.
These blocks are created in a random order, and it is not guaranteed that every slot will be filled with a block.
When a slot does not have a block created within it, it is called an empty slot.
Empty slots can occur when no delegate wins the slot leadership, thus failing to produce a block within that time.
They can also occur due to network latency or when network participants fail to recognize winning blocks promptly.