How did the concept of counted time come about? Why does everyone agree (worldwide) on 60 seconds to a minute,and why is the second, well, a second long? Also, what's the difference between atomic clock time and regular counted time from a five and dimes store's clock?
2007-01-06 11:15:20 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The use of 60 comes from BC Babylonia....
60 is the product of 3 x 4 x 5
A right triangle can be made with sides 3,4,& 5
Using a 3,4,5 triangle is possible to accurately divide a 360 degree circle into 12 equal parts...
Then using a 45 degree angle as a starting point (from 0 deg) is is possible to draw another 12 lines 30 degrees apart which will bisect the first 12 30degree segments.
You will now have a circle evenly and accurately divided into 24 parts....
2007-01-06 17:11:39 · answer #1 · answered by MarkG 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because everyone wants to know....how long before lunch? LOL
But seriously, I'd rather see a clock based on 100's, or 10's. Give us metric time! (I'm sure I'm not the first to think of this one...)
An atomic clock measures time based on the oscillation of a particular atom...I think it might be cesium, but I'm not sure. Anyway, an atomic clock is the scientific standard. The five and dime clock depends on mechanical properties of things like springs and fly-wheels. (wind up clock). It can vary widely, especially if you need to be really, really accurate, which many of us do not need...
2007-01-06 11:26:11 · answer #2 · answered by Ellie S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our time keeping system comes from the ancient Babylonians who kept time in a base 60 number system. They separated the day into 2 parts day and night of 12 hours and was further divided by 60 parts each hour and those parts by 60 and so forth.
The atomic clock measures time precisely within a few milliseconds of the earths rotation around the sun and cost mega-bucks. It is the standard for all time keeping.
2007-01-06 12:18:45 · answer #3 · answered by ikeman32 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋