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The Earth spins at a precise and known speed. If we use a sextant to observe the height of the Sun above the horizon and note the precise time when it is highest - when it stops going up and starts going back down, at "Local Apparent Noon" - we can look up the Sun's location in our Nautical Almanac and very easily calculate both our latitude and longitude.
However, this requires an ACCURATE clock, and in the 1600s and early 1700s, no such clock existed. Oh, there were lots of fairly good clocks, but they were all pendulum clocks - and the one thing you cannot use on a ship at sea is a pendulum clock!
The British Royal Navy offered a standing prize for the developer of an accurate spring-driven clock that could be used at sea.
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∙ 10y ago
Martin Andres Davila...
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What did they use before clocks to tell time?
they looked at the sun and had worked it out
What type of clocks did the egypitians use?
The egyptians used sundials to tell time.
What instruments did the Elizabethans use to tell the time?
They had pendulum clocks. (What you might call a grandfather clock). Also sundials, water clocks, candles.
Do clocks use energy?
do clocks use energey
Why do you use time?
We useTIME tell time, Day to Night!We also use clocks to Keep a organized schedule!And that's why we use a Clock
How do scientists use the theory of relativity in real life?
For one thing, they make the clocks that go in GPS satellites advance a little bit slower than normal so that when the satellites are orbiting the earth at tens of thousands of miles per hour the clocks seem to be in sync with our clocks here on the earth's surface.
What are two clues animals use to set their biological clocks?
They dont tell time. Their animals silly. :)
Why was the star clock invented?
the star clock was invented so that people could tell what time it is at night without the use of clocks
How would you use the Earth's magnetic field to tell you where on Earth you are?
You can't. The only thing the earth's magnetic field can tell you is the direction from where you are toward the earth's magnetic pole. That doesn't tell you anything about where you are.
What can you use numerals in?
clocks
Do explorers use ropes?
yes, lots of explorers use ropes.
Do clocks use magnetism?
Very few clocks use magnets as part of the drive.
