How to Make a Water Clock?

Water clocks are among the most ancient of time pieces. You can make a water clock that times exactly one minute with 3/4 cup of water.
Water Clock Dyson Engineering DIY Project

Create a water clock that times exactly one minute with 3/4 cup of water.

Design icons

Water clocks are among the most ancient of time pieces, with known examples from Egypt dating to the 16th Century BC. Examples with gears and feedback systems were developed during the Greek and Roman periods.

Water Clock Dyson Engineering DIY Project 3
How to Make a Water Clock? 3

Ingredients:

  • Plastic cups
  • Straws
  • Modeling clay
  • String
  • A timer
  • Wooden dowel or similar to act as a stand
  • Scissors (with adult supervision)
  • Tape
  • Push pins

STEP 1

A simple water clock could consist of two plastic cups fixed one above the other with a hole in the top cup to allow water to pass from one to the other.

STEP 2

Additional cups, string, straws, modeling clay, etc. can also be used to create more elaborate examples or to help slow the water if necessary.

Water Clock Dyson Engineering DIY Project 2
How to Make a Water Clock? 4
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