If the Earth rotates counter-clock wise(left)why do clocks go clock wise(right)?

Answer 1

The first clock was the sundial. In the northern hemisphere, the shadow of the gnomon moves clockwise through the day. So when mechanical clocks were designed, they were made with the numbers running "clockwise" also. Before there were clocks, that direction was known as "sunwise" or"deiseal".

Answer 2

I have seen counter-clock-wise clocks, made just for fun. They could move either way.
Clocks movement is just a convention such as driving on the right or the left side of a street.
So is the Earth's rotation. It depends on whether you look at it from the North or the South pole. From the North pole the rotation is counter-clockwise as the eastern countries get the sunshine before the western ones do.

Answer 3

Some people prefer Counter-Clockwise Clocks. They are available. If you want one, just Google CCW Clocks or ACW Clocks.

As to the earth's rotation, if you look down at it from the North Pole, it is rotating CCW. But if you look at it from the South Pole, it is going CLOCKWISE.

So it depends what direction you are looking from, same for the orbit.

You could take your CCW clock and move to Australia. Many things are different there.

Answer 4

Someone tell ceratias that the shadow on a sundial moves clockwise no matter where you are on Earth...the southern hemisphere too.

It took a while, but at least a couple people knew that a clock's motion derived from sundials. Everyone is just ignorant...but it was a good question.

Answer 5

Because in the norhtern hemisphere, the shadow of a sundial (sun clock) moves clockwise, while in the southern hemisphere it moves counterclockwise. As mechanical clocks were invented in the northern hemisphere, their hands were made to turn clockwise to imitate that movement.

And for the wise guy from the next answer, i live in the southern hemisphere, so i think i know better that shadows move counterclockwise here.

Answer 6

It would appear that the earth rotates west to east or left to right if we look at it in the traditional north-south orientation. If we look at it from above the northern pole, it appears to rotate counter-clockwise. If we look at it from above the southern pole, then it appears to rotate clockwise.
I don't think that there is any "up" or "down" when you are in space, so your point of reference depends where you are looking from. If you were above the southern pole you would not feel like you were looking "up" at the earth. It would feel the same no matter what part of the earth was directly outside

Answer 7

The earth does not rotate counter-clockwise, it rotates clockwist.

Answer 8

LOL! I used to live in an apartment where I always knew when it was 2am, that's when the ladies husband would get home and their bed had a REALLY bad squeak!

Answer 9

If clocks went anti-clockwise, we would not know which way anything was spinning.

Answer 10

cause clocks doesnt hav brains like you have