Question 2 of 21

Which part of Germany is famous for its cuckoo clocks?

... Since the mid-18th century, Germany's Black Forest has been recognized for its cuckoo clocks.

Question 3 of 21

An atomic clock works by measuring transitions between energy levels of which atom?

... The Cesium-133 atom is used in atomic clocks, also known as "cesium oscillators."

Question 4 of 21

The Doomsday Clock estimates the amount of danger to the world from _______.

... Published in the "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists," the Doomsday Clock tracks nuclear, climate, and biological perils to humanity.

Question 5 of 21

A candle clock was sometimes turned into an alarm clock by using _________.

... A candle clock had marks on the side at regular intervals to indicate the passage of time. If a nail was inserted into the candle at a particular point, it would fall onto the candle holder when the wax holding it had melted. The clanking sound would serve as an alarm.

Question 6 of 21

Why do clock hands move in a "clockwise" direction?

... Early clocks mimicked a sundial. Sundials were common in the northern hemisphere, and clocks matched the "clockwise" movement of the shadow.

Question 7 of 21

What is the problem with sand clocks?

... Since sand is so heavy, sand clocks can't be very large. Consequently, sand clocks such as the hourglass can only measure relatively short periods of time.

Question 8 of 21

The word "clock" likely came from the Latin word "clocca," meaning ________.

... Although "clock" is probably related to old Dutch, Irish, and German words, it was most likely derived from the Latin word for "bell."

Question 9 of 21

In a mechanical clock, the escapement ______________.

... The escapement ticks regularly, allowing the gears to advance at a steady pace. On a grandfather clock the escapement is the pendulum, while on a watch it is the balance wheel.

Question 10 of 21

Beginning in the 18th century, a chronometer kept time on a ship and also determined __________.

... The chronometer, created by John Harrison in 1761, could determine longitude within one-half of a degree.

Question 11 of 21

The human body's internal biological clock is known as the __________.

... The circadian rhythm helps organisms adjust to the cycle of day and night. The term comes from the Latin words "circa" (about) and "diem" (day).

Question 12 of 21

Originally developed for a class project at MIT, "Clocky" is an unusual alarm clock because when the snooze button is hit the clock ___________.

... Clocky rolls to a new location each time the snooze button is activated.

Question 13 of 21

The ancient Greek word for the early water clock, "clepsydra," translates to _______.

... In approximately 325 B.C., the Greeks started making water clocks or clepsydras, which means "water thieves."

Question 14 of 21

The earliest alarm clocks were ________.

... The ancient Greeks had alarms on some water clocks that produced sounds using gongs or trumpets.

Question 15 of 21

Astrolabes could be used to determine time by measuring ____________.

... Astrolabes estimated time by using scales for altitude that determined the height of the sun or other stars above the horizon.

Question 16 of 21

"Big Ben," the famous clock, tower and bell in London, probably gets its name from _______.

... Big Ben was probably named after Sir Benjamin Hall, First Commissioner from 1855-1858. The name was originally given to the bell alone.

Question 17 of 21

A gnomon is part of a _________.

... A sundial has a vertical pointer called a "gnomon." Noon is indicated when the gnomon points north or south, depending upon the latitude.

Question 18 of 21

One advantage of using quartz in clocks is that quartz _________.

... Quartz does not vary its shape much due to temperature fluctuations, making quartz clocks quite accurate no matter the temperature.

Question 19 of 21

On a pendulum clock, how often does the pendulum swing?

... It depends upon the size of the clock. In smaller clocks the pendulum might swing twice per second, while it could swing once every two seconds in a large grandfather clock.

Question 20 of 21

How did ancient Egyptians divide up the daily cycle using a sundial?

... The Egyptians recognized day, twilight and night.

Question 21 of 21

Clocks made it into the music world with the invention of a __________.

... In 1867, a tuning fork clock was displayed at the University of Paris.

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