Times are Changing!

 

During the third and final unit of Light, Sound, and Time, we explored how time-telling and time-keeping have changed throughout the course of history. We started off the unit with the theory of the cosmic calendar to demonstrate where we as humans fit into the concept of time. This theory says that if one were to condense all of history into a year long calendar, starting with The Big Bang, humans would show up at around 11:52pm on December 31st. We then explored different mediums of time-telling, such as sun dials, pendulums, and sextants. Something I found interesting about this unit was that sailors are able to tell time based on their coordinates and using time zones, typically the Greenwich Mean Time Zone, since it falls on the 0 degrees longitude. For this final AP, we had to create our own original time-telling device and create an advertisement for it.

My device is a prism tower made of glass in a cylinder that has a light source being rotated around it at set speed.  The unit I chose to use was solar time because the light will pass through the glass and change based on the light source's position. This employs light because it involves the concept of how light is refracted through glass.

The device is a meaningful and effective way to tell time because it is all based on refraction size and how long the refraction of light is. I think it’s better than what’s already out there because it puts a contemporary element to an old-fashioned timepiece. I believe it can draw more people into wanting to learn about pieces such as the sundial if it is given a more modern appearance. 

The volume of the prism component of my contraption is 4.05 cubic inches. The volume of my cylinder is roughly 1526.81 cubic inches. 

It applies science concepts by having electromagnetic impulses being sent through the clock to rotate the light source at a consistent pace to match with time keeping and the hourly rate. It incorporates scientific concepts of Pythagoras and periods. Markings on the clock help to determine what hour it is. 

The history of my device is that it is related to the sundial and the quartz clock. The relationship between the device and the clientele that is envisioned is to make time-telling interesting and cultivating curiosity about time telling to encourage the user to want to learn more based on the stimulating appearance. 

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this unit because it helped my understand other forms of time-telling. If there is one thing I change about my project, I would definitely use find better materials. As, mentioned in the video, I said "in a perfect world the light would shift with electro-magnetic impulses around the prism. I simply mean that, had I had the supplies, I would've made a model that demonstrates the light rotating around the prism to give a clearer and more accurate demonstration of my time-telling device. Overall, though I am content with the model I was able to create using the supplies I was able to find around the house.