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Why don't modern clocks and watches work by clockwork.?
Clockwork was originally carbon friendly, didn't need batteries or plugs, it seems to me that technology has gone backwards.
6 Answers
I think the accuracy argument has to be regarded.
Time is the single most measurable thing known to man.
We can measure time more accurately than any other thing in the known universe. This is the basis for many modern conveniences. The computer I use operates at 3.06GHz. That means that this computer can differentiate 3 billion parts of a second.
Distances are no longer measured with physical measuring devices if accuracy is important. Laser beams and radio signals are sent and the time of travel is measured. Discrepancies in these measurements are due to everything but the accuracy of time measurement.
Global positioning satellites can tell you where you are on the planet and only miss by 3 yards. They use time measurement for this accuracy.
Land surveyors use a combination of GPS, radio and laser measuring devices. Time measurement is the basis for all of these systems to determine distance.
No clockwork device can compare to this type of accuracy. An analogy would be to compare swimming in a kiddy pool in Nevada with swimming in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii.
As for environmentally friendly, modern clocks and watches could be solar powered, Global Positioning Satellites most certainly use solar power. We would need 1000 factories making clockwork timepieces for every single factory producing modern electronic timepieces.
Time is the single most measurable thing known to man.
We can measure time more accurately than any other thing in the known universe. This is the basis for many modern conveniences. The computer I use operates at 3.06GHz. That means that this computer can differentiate 3 billion parts of a second.
Distances are no longer measured with physical measuring devices if accuracy is important. Laser beams and radio signals are sent and the time of travel is measured. Discrepancies in these measurements are due to everything but the accuracy of time measurement.
Global positioning satellites can tell you where you are on the planet and only miss by 3 yards. They use time measurement for this accuracy.
Land surveyors use a combination of GPS, radio and laser measuring devices. Time measurement is the basis for all of these systems to determine distance.
No clockwork device can compare to this type of accuracy. An analogy would be to compare swimming in a kiddy pool in Nevada with swimming in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii.
As for environmentally friendly, modern clocks and watches could be solar powered, Global Positioning Satellites most certainly use solar power. We would need 1000 factories making clockwork timepieces for every single factory producing modern electronic timepieces.
Regarding the accuracy argument, any breakage in power, whether from the mains, or battery, stops power source time devices.
I have a time switch with gains 5 minutes every few months, my watches need to be adjusted once a month at least, LED clocks lose all sense of the correct time when they lose power.
The tower clock linked with Big Ben is a mechanical clock and very accurate.
There are advantages with battery power clocks and watches, but these are generally different features, a bigger display, voice watches, and I have a radio controlled clock which keeps exactly the same time as the talking clock, very useful, as I can correct all the battery clocks, watches and time switches using that as a standard, without the need to ring 123 on the phone.
I have a time switch with gains 5 minutes every few months, my watches need to be adjusted once a month at least, LED clocks lose all sense of the correct time when they lose power.
The tower clock linked with Big Ben is a mechanical clock and very accurate.
There are advantages with battery power clocks and watches, but these are generally different features, a bigger display, voice watches, and I have a radio controlled clock which keeps exactly the same time as the talking clock, very useful, as I can correct all the battery clocks, watches and time switches using that as a standard, without the need to ring 123 on the phone.
Modern clocks and watches don't use mechanical (clockwork) power sources because they are affected by vibration and temperature thus reducing their accuracy electronics can be stabilised against temperature variations and are unaffected by vibration. in theory it is possible to produce a hybrid timepiece where electrical power is provided by a "clockwork" mechanism but the timekeeping part is electronic thus removing the need for batteries etc, whilst retaining accuracy..
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