Question 1

What is a clock?

Accepted Answer

A clock is a device that tells us what time it is. It helps us know when to do things like eat breakfast, go to school, or go to sleep.

Question 2

How do clocks work?

Accepted Answer

Clocks have hands that move around a face to show the time. Some clocks use gears and springs, while others run on electricity or batteries.

Question 3

Who invented the first clock?

Accepted Answer

People have been measuring time for thousands of years, but the first mechanical clock was invented in the 1300s. We don't know exactly who made it first.

Question 4

What is a sundial?

Accepted Answer

A sundial is a tool that uses sunlight to tell time. It has a stick, called a gnomon, that casts a shadow on a flat surface with numbers.

Question 5

Why do we have calendars?

Accepted Answer

Calendars help us keep track of days, weeks, and months. They tell us when special days like birthdays or holidays are happening.

Question 6

How do calendars work?

Accepted Answer

Calendars count days and group them into months and years. Most calendars are based on the time it takes for Earth to go around the sun.

Question 7

What is the difference between a clock and a calendar?

Accepted Answer

A clock tells us what time of day it is. A calendar shows us which day, month, or year it is.

Question 8

Why do we have 24 hours in a day?

Accepted Answer

A long time ago, people decided to divide the day into 24 parts or hours to help organize time better. This idea came from how the Egyptians used sundials.

Question 9

Why do some clocks tick?

Accepted Answer

Some clocks tick because of the way their gears work. These sounds happen as parts inside the clock move to keep time.

Question 10

What is an hourglass?

Accepted Answer

An hourglass is a device with two glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck. Sand flows from one bulb to the other to measure time.

Question 11

Why do we celebrate New Year’s Day?

Accepted Answer

New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year on the calendar. It’s a time to celebrate fresh beginnings and make plans for the year.

Question 12

What makes a digital clock different from an analog clock?

Accepted Answer

A digital clock shows time using numbers on a screen, while an analog clock uses hands pointing at numbers on a round face.

Question 13

Why do we have leap years?

Accepted Answer

We have leap years to keep our calendar aligned with Earth's orbit around the sun. Leap years add an extra day to February every four years.

Question 14

What is the oldest calendar people used?

Accepted Answer

One of the oldest calendars is the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. Ancient civilizations like the Sumerians used it.

Question 15

Why do the hands on a clock move in circles?

Accepted Answer

The hands on a clock move in circles because early clocks were designed that way, and now it's the way we’re used to seeing time.

Question 16

What are minute and second hands?

Accepted Answer

The minute hand on a clock shows how many minutes have passed, while the second hand shows the seconds. Minute hands move slower than second hands.

Question 17

How has timekeeping changed over the years?

Accepted Answer

Timekeeping has changed from simple tools like sundials to mechanical clocks and now to digital clocks. This helps us keep track of time more accurately.

Question 18

What is the purpose of time zones?

Accepted Answer

Time zones help people in different parts of the world have a similar time of day relative to the sun. This makes global communication and travel easier.

Question 19

What is an atomic clock?

Accepted Answer

An atomic clock is a super accurate clock that uses atoms to keep time. Scientists use them for precise things like GPS and scientific research.

Question 20

Why do clocks sometimes show different times?

Accepted Answer

Clocks might show different times because they are not set correctly or because they are in different time zones. It’s important to make sure clocks are set accurately.

The Mechanics of Timekeeping: Clocks and Calendars Through History - 20 FAQs Explained Simply