Time and Clocks
โญ MasteredThere are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day. A clock's short hand shows hours.
The word "clock" comes from an old word for bell.
All about Time and Clocks
Time is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years. A clock uses a short hour hand and a long minute hand to show the time.
Analogue clocks have 12 numbers around the face, and each number is five minutes apart. Digital clocks show the time with numbers, such as 14:30. Learning to read both helps you plan your day.
Reading a clock is an important skill for organising your day.
๐ฎ Try it yourself!
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๐ What the animation shows
This animation shows a clock face with its hands moving. Watch how the minute hand moves all the way round in one hour, while the hour hand moves only one number in the same time.
Real-life uses of Time and Clocks
- Knowing what time to leave for school
- Working out how long a film or game lasts
- Following a recipe with the right cooking time
Frequently asked questions about Time and Clocks
How many minutes are in a day?
There are 1,440 minutes in a day, which is 24 hours multiplied by 60 minutes.
What does 15:00 mean on a digital clock?
It means 3 o'clock in the afternoon, because the 24-hour clock counts from midnight.
How do you work out elapsed time?
Count the hours first, then the minutes. From 2:15 to 4:40 is 2 hours and 25 minutes.