2006-09-12 08:21:15 · 8 answers · asked by ace 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Time was not invented.
Time is your minds interpretation of a portion of the Time-Space continuum as described by einstein. It is not its own object.
A second is not worked out. It was defined as a MEASUREMENT of a LENGTH of time.
The current definition (from wiki)
"Under the International System of Units, the second is currently defined as the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom. This definition refers to a caesium atom at rest at a temperature of 0 K."
The historical division is different just read from the source... but it has to do with dividing the day up into portions.
2006-09-12 08:27:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Before they used decimals, scientists used sexadecimals for calculations, so they split the hour into 60 minutes and each minute into 60 seconds, exactly as they split the degrees. This was done in the 17th century, when they had clockwork for accurate clocks.
The idea came from the Babylonians, who used the sexadecimal system. (Base 60) It was they who put 360 degrees in a circle and the Egyptians who invented the hour, (1/12 of the day or night.)
2006-09-12 18:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by hi_patia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The basic units of time are the year, the month and the day. These are based on the movement of the earth around the sun, the moon around the earth and the rotation of the earth hence these units exist and have not been invented just given names. Everything else depends on the division of these basic units into convenient smaller ones. Anything based on 60 tends to have come from the Babylonian age.
2006-09-12 17:27:52 · answer #3 · answered by astephens29 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Under the International System of Units, the second is currently defined as the duration of 9 192 631 770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom. This definition refers to a caesium atom at rest at a temperature of 0 K."
Clear as mud!
2006-09-12 15:28:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The current time units - hours, minutes, seconds - date back to Babylon, thousands of years ago. To see the full history in all its gory details, check the link below.
2006-09-12 15:30:10 · answer #5 · answered by Bramblyspam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atomic time= the measured vibrations of Cesium atom. So many cycles equal 1 second, etc.
2006-09-12 15:28:49 · answer #6 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, maybe something to do with the stars?
2006-09-12 15:27:30 · answer #7 · answered by me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who are "they"?
2006-09-12 15:26:56 · answer #8 · answered by Warlock Fiend 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋