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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.
What else can I help you with?
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.
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.
Do clocks use energy?
Yes, clocks use energy to operate. This energy can come from batteries, electricity, or mechanical mechanisms like springs. Digital clocks typically require electricity, while analog clocks may use batteries or winding mechanisms to function.
What are two clues animals use to set their biological clocks?
They dont tell time. Their animals silly. :)
What instruments did the Elizabethans use to tell the time?
Instruments commonly used by Elizabethans to tell time included sundials, hourglasses, and candle clocks. Sundials relied on the position of the sun's shadow to indicate the time, while hourglasses measured time by the flow of sand, and candle clocks used the time it took for a marked candle to burn down.
What is used to tell time?
Clocks and watches are used to tell time. These devices use hands, digital displays, or other mechanisms to indicate the current time accurately.
What can you use numerals in?
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.
Do explorers use ropes?
yes, lots of explorers use ropes.
Do clocks use magnetism?
Some clocks, especially those with mechanical movements, may use magnetism in their design to regulate or control the timekeeping mechanism. For example, some clocks may use a magnetic balance wheel or electromagnetic coils to help keep time accurately. However, quartz clocks and digital clocks typically do not rely on magnetism for their operation.
