Chronology Lab

Time units reference

Break down the second, minute, and day into their scientific and cultural meanings.

Breaking it down

Units

Time conversions

The second was once defined by Earth’s rotation, now by cesium atoms. Minutes and hours wrap around to build days.

  • 1 minute = 60 seconds.
  • 1 hour = 60 minutes (3,600 seconds).
  • 1 day = 24 hours (86,400 seconds).
  • Leap seconds keep UTC synced with Earth’s slow rotation.

Cultural meanings

Context

Every culture had its own take on time segments, but standard SI units now let scientists, pilots, and planners track moments across the globe.

Second Minute Hour Day