Question 1

What is timekeeping?

Accepted Answer

Timekeeping is the way we measure and keep track of time. It helps us know when to do things like going to school, playing outside, or having dinner.

Question 2

Why do we need to keep track of time?

Accepted Answer

We track time to organize our day and know when things happen. It helps everyone plan their activities and meet at the right time.

Question 3

What is a clock?

Accepted Answer

A clock is a tool that tells us what time it is. It has numbers and hands that move to show the hours and minutes of the day.

Question 4

How does a clock work?

Accepted Answer

A clock usually has gears and a power source like a battery to keep its hands moving. These gears make sure the hands turn at just the right speed.

Question 5

What are the little arrows on a clock face called?

Accepted Answer

The little arrows on a clock face are called hands. The short hand shows the hour, and the long hand shows the minutes.

Question 6

What is a digital clock?

Accepted Answer

A digital clock shows the time with numbers instead of moving hands. It usually has a screen that displays hours and minutes directly.

Question 7

What is a calendar?

Accepted Answer

A calendar is like a big table that shows all the days, weeks, and months of the year. It helps us know which day it is and plan events.

Question 8

Why does a day have 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

A day has 24 hours because that's how long it takes Earth to spin around once. People decided to split this time into 24 parts long ago.

Question 9

What is an hourglass?

Accepted Answer

An hourglass is a tool that uses sand to measure time. It has two glass bulbs connected by a tiny hole, and the sand moves from one side to the other.

Question 10

How do people know what time it is in other places?

Accepted Answer

People use time zones to know what time it is in other places. Earth is divided into sections, and each section has its own time.

Question 11

What is daylight saving time?

Accepted Answer

Daylight saving time is when we change the clocks to make sure we have more daylight in the evening. It usually starts in the spring and ends in the fall.

Question 12

What is a sundial?

Accepted Answer

A sundial is a tool that tells time using the sun's shadow. It has a flat face and a stick, called a gnomon, that casts a shadow on the numbers.

Question 13

How did people tell time before clocks?

Accepted Answer

Before clocks, people used the sun's position and nature to tell time. They watched where the sun was in the sky and how shadows changed.

Question 14

What does it mean when a clock 'ticks'?

Accepted Answer

When a clock 'ticks,' it means it's making a regular sound as its parts move. This ticking helps the clock keep track of each passing second.

Question 15

What are leap years?

Accepted Answer

Leap years are special years with an extra day in February to keep our calendar in line with Earth's orbit. They happen every 4 years.

Question 16

What is the difference between AM and PM?

Accepted Answer

AM and PM are used to tell time in 12-hour formats. AM means the time from midnight to noon, and PM is from noon to midnight.

Question 17

Why do some clocks have a pendulum?

Accepted Answer

A pendulum is a swinging rod in some clocks that helps keep time steady. Its regular movement helps the clock keep accurate time.

Question 18

How does a stopwatch work?

Accepted Answer

A stopwatch is a tool used to measure short periods of time. You press a button to start it, and press it again to stop and see how long something took.

Question 19

How do wristwatches work?

Accepted Answer

Wristwatches are small clocks that people wear on their wrists. They often use batteries or winding to keep their hands moving and show the correct time.

Question 20

What is time made of?

Accepted Answer

Time isn’t made of anything you can touch or see. Instead, it's how we understand the passing moments around us.

The Mechanics of Timekeeping - 20 FAQs Explained Simply