What has 24 got to do with anything? I understand 365 and Sirus, but time is the one constant. The only sure thing in life is the passing of time. Shouldn't it be scientifically measured?
2007-07-08 03:20:51 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The second is defined scientifically in terms of "definitive qualities":
"The second is 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 cesium 133 atom. "
As for the speed of light, that is used in defining the metre. The speed of sound depends on conditions such as temperature and pressure so it's no good for defining units precisely.
2007-07-08 03:27:51 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel C 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A day is the time for one rotation of the earth and we have arbitarily divided it into 24 hours - but we could make it 10 'things' or 100 'things'
A year is the time for the earth to make one orbit of the sun - approx 365 days
These time periods were in the past not very accurate but we now have a very accurate definition of the second and all other periods are based on it. So we have to make corrections every so often - like leap years and leap seconds - otherwise June wound end up in the winter etc.
2007-07-16 10:18:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time is indeed defined scientifically and kept track of with great precision by atomic clocks. The 24 hour day defined by the earth's rotation is just kept along out of tradition and practicality. Deviations from the standard clock that accumulate due to the traditional day's variablity are periodically patched up with leap seconds and so forth at the end of the year.
2007-07-08 13:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. 24 is quite convinient because it almost matches with the normal biological cycles like the digestive system and the basic processes of thinking. Animals like horses, donkeys, cocks etc make a noise after about 1 hr or in whole units of 1 hr (2,3,4,...). I think this is the main reason why the day was divided up into 24 hrs. It is interesting that the 24 hr system existed independently in different cultures around the world, so its almost natural.
2007-07-16 10:20:40 · answer #4 · answered by Mr Man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can scientifically measure time in any unit you would like. Days, hours, seconds, minutes, etc.
BTW, there are two kind of days. One is determined by the angular velocity associated with the rotation of the earth and the other by the total angular velocity, when you add rotation and translation effects. One is called "sideral day", the other i don't remember. You could use any one as a measure of time as long as you stick with that definition.
2007-07-16 10:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by fefe k 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
24 is the number of hours it takes the earth to rotate on it's axis, which is pretty scientific. The measurement of time may be a constant on earth, but at the speed of light it doesn't exist!
2007-07-16 09:41:32 · answer #6 · answered by Pilgrim Traveler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
existing clocks and calendars do not track real time, they were designed for man's convenience and they are not likely to be changed.
2007-07-13 10:15:36 · answer #7 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
me not
2007-07-16 09:54:41 · answer #8 · answered by IT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋