(6) describing time

TIME

Identifies a measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues to exist.

It is described in terms of periods of time (e.g. age, epoch, era, years) or in precise dates

Time (Before you begin to moan, you only have to write what is in

bold on this slide.)

Is an abstract human concept Can mean all of the past, present, and future taken together, or

it can refer to only part of that span Refers to a measurable period in which people, actions or

conditions exist Is divided by humans to organize and coordinate our activities Has lead to man inventing tools to measure it (clocks,

calendars, etc.) Can be used to describe an occasion Is a valuable tool or device used by man Is the fourth dimension in which objects exist (length, width,

depth)

In summary, the concept of time is used to organize people’s lives and create a context in which humans exist.

Absolute Time

Is a precise measurement.

Can refer to specific events, dates or moments.

Uses numbers and is exact.

Examples

Mrs. G was born on May 11, 1978. The power went out at 5:23 and 6

seconds. The bank opens at 9:30.

Relative Time

Is time measured in relation to other things

Examples

Mrs. G was born during the era of big hair

The power went out during Seinfeld The bank opens at the same time as the

mall

Man and Measuring TimeThroughout history, man

has devised many ways of keeping time

Examples:

Sundial: A device for telling time of day by the shadow which sunlight produces on the instrument.

Ropes: When burned, knots tied at regular intervals would measure time.

Candles: The candles would have grooves carved into them and, when burned, each groove represented a specific amount of time.

Hourglass: It tells time by means of sand trickling through a narrow opening.

Water Clock: It measures time by allowing water to drip from one marked container into another.

Mechanical Clocks: They were invented in 1656.

Cyclical Time and Linear TimeCyclical Time

Based on the cycles of nature. Repeats over and over in a cycle. Is a measurement of natural cycles and

is an attempt by humans to live in harmony with the cycles of nature.

Cyclical Time cont’d Days – are based on the rising and

setting of the sun. Months – are based on the cycles of the

moon. Years – are based on the Earth’s cycle

around the sun.

Three examples of cyclical time measurement:

1. Stonehenge:

Is located on the Salisbury Plain in southern England.

Allowed for some measurement of cyclical time.

2. Medicine Wheels:

Are found on the prairies of North America.

Were built by the Plains Indians.

Were mostly used as calendars.

3. Calendars: Were designed to measure time and

organize society. The first calendar used in the western world

was the Julian calendar which was introduced by Julius Caesar.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII developed the Gregorian calendar, which replaced the Julian calendar.

Linear Time:

Is a measurement invented to use in long range planning.

Can be plotted on a timeline. Always has a beginning and an end.

Three examples of linear time measurement:1. Personal Time:

Is time reflected by the life span of an individual person.

Includes events such as birth, graduation, and marriage.

Is measured in days, months, and years.

2. Historical Time:

Is time since people began keeping records of historical events.

Includes important political, social, and economic events.

Is measured in years, decades, centuries. Remember: B.C. means “Before Christ”

and A.D. means “Anno Domini” (In the Year of Our Lord).

3. Geological Time: Is time reflected by the age of the Earth. Includes periods in the Earth’s

geological development and the development of life on Earth.

Is measured in epochs, periods, and eras.