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A Timely Quiz

Time for a fun quiz! This quiz is about time- the history of time and its measurements.

A multiple-choice quiz by bullymom. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
bullymom

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
99,099

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
2047

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What civilization was the first to divide the day into 24 hours? Hint

Egyptian

Sumerian

Roman

Mycenean

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Greek scholar Sosigenes conceived what calendar? Hint

Roman

Julian

Gregorian

Lunar

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Question 3 of 10

3. Around 690, King Ina of Kent developed this timely term. Hint

Week

Second

Month

Fortnight

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Question 4 of 10

4. Before 1000, the most sophisticated clocks were clepsydra, clocks powered by _______. Hint

The sun

Oxen

Wind

Water

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Question 5 of 10

5. In which country was the oldest recorded mechanical clock built? Hint

China

England

France

Greece

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Question 6 of 10

6. Before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, on what date did the new year begin? Hint

May 15

April 1

March 25

July 1

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many years are in an eon (aeon)? Hint

10 billion

1000 million

200 million

100 million

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1504, Peter Henlein of Germany built the first _______. Hint

Cuckoo clock

Alarm clock

Pendulum clock

Watch

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these measurements of time is the shortest? Hint

Nanosecond

Picosecond

Second

Femtosecond

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Question 10 of 10

10. What was unique about the Pulsar watch, which debuted in 1971? Hint

It was quartz

It was digital

It was waterproof

It was LCD-powered

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What civilization was the first to divide the day into 24 hours?

Answer: Egyptian

Around 2100 BC, the ancient Egyptians divided the day into 24 hours: one hour for dawn, one for dusk, 10 for day, and 12 for night. They were also probably the first to establish that the sun took 365 days to make a complete passage.

2. The Greek scholar Sosigenes conceived what calendar?

Answer: Julian

By 46 BC, Julius Caesar had abolished the old Roman calendar, which had drifted too far from the natural seasons. He decided upon a new length of 365 days, six hours, with 67 days added to the current year to bring the months back into order with nature.

3. Around 690, King Ina of Kent developed this timely term.

Answer: Fortnight

From the Old English "feowertyne night", "fourteen nights"- two weeks.

4. Before 1000, the most sophisticated clocks were clepsydra, clocks powered by _______.

Answer: Water

Around 976, Zhang Sihun of China devised a water-wheel escapement, a contraption that kept time by a stream of water filling a sequence of buckets. The problem with this method was that it was dependent on a steady water supply.

5. In which country was the oldest recorded mechanical clock built?

Answer: England

The earliest known mechanical clock was built by Richard of Wallingford (1291-1336) at St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England.

6. Before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, on what date did the new year begin?

Answer: March 25

Imagine New Year's Eve on March 24! In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introducted the Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar, which had become out of date with the seasons.

7. How many years are in an eon (aeon)?

Answer: 1000 million

In 1968, the ancient Greek term "aeon" was adopted by astronomers to represent 1000 million years. Not used too often, except in crossword puzzles.

8. In 1504, Peter Henlein of Germany built the first _______.

Answer: Watch

Small weight-driven household clocks debuted in Europe around 1400.

9. Which of these measurements of time is the shortest?

Answer: Femtosecond

A femtosecond is 1 x 10 (-15) of a second; a picosecond, 1 x 10 (-12) of a second; a nanosecond, 1 x 10 (-9) of a second. There are more femtoseconds in one second than there are seconds in 31 million years!

10. What was unique about the Pulsar watch, which debuted in 1971?

Answer: It was digital

The Pulsar, designed by Americans George Theiss and Willy Crabtree, was the first to use LED technology.

Source: Author bullymom

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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