How a quartz watch works - its heart beats 32,768 times a second

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  • Опубликовано: 22 май 2019
  • Get 75% off NordVPN with this link: nordvpn.com/steve and use the promo code steve to get the first 30 days free.
    Quartz watches have a tiny crystal tuning fork inside that vibrates at 2^15 Hz and there's a really clever reason for that. This video also talks a bit about how mechanical watches work.
    CORRECTION: Ok, so I actually hung 16 flip flops! So you do need 15. I'm an idiot.
    The atomic clock video is here: • How Do Atomic Clocks W...
    The piezoelectricity video is here: • Piezoelectricity - why...
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Комментарии • 6 тыс.

  • @SteveMould
    @SteveMould  5 лет назад +721

    Sponsor: Get 75% off NordVPN with this link: nordvpn.com/steve and use the promo code steve to get the first 30 days free.

    • @Alexey0795
      @Alexey0795 5 лет назад +4

      Q: Is it possible what is happening with the clock in the passage of the Russian film? ruclips.net/video/LDlMJWGNs1U/видео.html

    • @matty1234a1
      @matty1234a1 5 лет назад +6

      Nice xps 15, i have one too

    • @SteveMould
      @SteveMould  5 лет назад +12

      @@matty1234a1 it's a beast!

    • @noraxi
      @noraxi 5 лет назад +8

      The flip-flop explaination was hilarious, i already knew pretty much every facts, but i'm mostly here to support science channels on YT
      And your videos are well made btw, keep up the good work pal

    • @bgaskin
      @bgaskin 5 лет назад +10

      Is it just me, when I see 75% off, I think wow must be overpriced to begin with, and just avoid the company. Feedback to nordvpn: if you just said what the price was (after the discount) I might be more willing to click through.

  • @HolyManta
    @HolyManta 3 года назад +6983

    He actually chained flipflops together for that joke, what a hero

    • @lennonwhitehead1352
      @lennonwhitehead1352 3 года назад +87

      Lmao. That joke is funnier because of your comment.

    • @guyvermutronics4582
      @guyvermutronics4582 3 года назад +108

      And later used them for explanation. Absolute legend.

    • @jeffron7
      @jeffron7 3 года назад +40

      He didn't account for a flip flop leap year though.

    • @linus1594
      @linus1594 3 года назад +4

      MADLAD

    • @goldenpun5592
      @goldenpun5592 3 года назад +13

      A very good visual aid

  • @adenintriphosphat520
    @adenintriphosphat520 4 года назад +9353

    You don't have to explain what a flip flop is, I'm a redstone engineer

  • @mcintoshdev
    @mcintoshdev Год назад +695

    I have been a software engineer for 33 years and involved with electronics for over 40 years and truly this is one of the best explanations that I've ever seen for how frequency division works just an outstanding job!!!

    • @valleykid6577
      @valleykid6577 Год назад +5

      It's also cool that quartz apparently vibrates at exactly the rate of a signed 16 bit integer. Did I say that right?
      If unsigned, a 16 bit integer has a max value of 65535, you sign it, that drops by half, 32,767.5 (except that we would round, because it's an integer). Not sure that it matters, but it kind of made me smile. =)

    • @3web3
      @3web3 11 месяцев назад

      @@valleykid6577 man because you talking about 16-bit signed integer (so it's 2^16) sorry for ruining the miracle 😁

    • @jeffgaw
      @jeffgaw 11 месяцев назад +10

      ​@@valleykid6577 We don't just round it cause it's an integer, and even if we did, it would be rounded to 32,768 anyway. To understand how this all fits together it's really important to have a grasp of how totals are specified in electronics and comp sci. It can be a bit confusing, so I'd probably suggest reading up on cardinality vs ordinality on wikipedia maybe.
      The value 2^16 can hold 65,536 integers, and if we were counting as we do normally in everyday life we would start at 1 and end at 65,536. However, in computing we usually start from 0, so even though there are 65,536 numbers, the maximum value we reach is 65,535 because we count 0 as well as 1. Therefore the value of 2^15 is (2^16)/2, is 32,768, but counting from 0 and dividing by 2 gets you 32767.5. Think of it like this - how could a power of 2 not be an even number (i.e. divisible by 2)?

    • @Dracconus
      @Dracconus 7 месяцев назад +2

      Now, just wait until people realize that motherboards use quartz movement for clock syncing the BIOS.

    • @mcintoshdev
      @mcintoshdev 7 месяцев назад

      @MrDracconus I think most technical people understand how a clock signal is created. Well, at least I would hope they do!

  • @marc-andreservant201
    @marc-andreservant201 11 месяцев назад +420

    A quartz watch is often significantly more accurate than a second per day. But the clock in your car is also a quartz clock, and you've likely noticed that they must be adjusted often. The reason is that you're wearing the crystal on your wrist which has a constant temperature. Your car gets hot and cold depending on the weather, and the crystal's thermal expansion changes its vibration frequency.

    • @aashaykadu6549
      @aashaykadu6549 7 месяцев назад +13

      But quartz has low thermal expansion coefficient

    • @chanchah1
      @chanchah1 6 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@aashaykadu6549exactly that's what I thought 🤔

    • @chanchah1
      @chanchah1 6 месяцев назад +4

      Maybe he's talking about micro expansions

    • @heinzhaupthaar5590
      @heinzhaupthaar5590 6 месяцев назад +26

      ​@@aashaykadu6549
      Doesn't matter if it is low. Seems to be enough, and the resonant frequency still varies with temperature. It's considered the main source of error for quartz watches.
      I'm not sure though if that's actually the culprit for car clocks supposed high inaccuracy.
      Depends on the quartz type too though, ideally the deviations cancel each other out, which can be influenced by choosing the proper cut and volume iirc.

    • @scottbotgo4218
      @scottbotgo4218 6 месяцев назад +3

      My watch hasn't lost more than a second for 4 months and it's because its my internal body temperature (I think) and it was 18 bucks on Amazon

  • @FiddyBee
    @FiddyBee 5 лет назад +4068

    He actually made a flip flop chain. Here good sir, have my like.

    • @BillAnt
      @BillAnt 5 лет назад +41

      Brilliant British humor at its best. :)

    • @wellesradio
      @wellesradio 4 года назад +16

      Hey, you! This isn't Reddit!

    • @taohawaii
      @taohawaii 4 года назад +3

      @@wellesradio What, behind the Reddit?

    • @chetanbansal01
      @chetanbansal01 4 года назад +17

      he actually made a comment about flipping flip flops and gave him a like.. here good sir, you may also have one..!

    • @FiddyBee
      @FiddyBee 4 года назад +17

      @@chetanbansal01 you actually made a reply to my comment about flipping flip flops and gave me a like. Here good sir, you may also have one.

  • @CrimsonCrime2234
    @CrimsonCrime2234 3 года назад +1139

    "I am not going to explain what a flip flop is", proceed to provide the best explanation I have every heard.

    • @shawnmunck7412
      @shawnmunck7412 3 года назад +13

      he wasnt explaining it though. was explaining everything else 😂 still better than what i heard from other in the past though. i love his shit. prob gonna get his books next month for my 2yr son.

    • @bravomike4734
      @bravomike4734 3 года назад +12

      As a computer student, I've literally only understood the purpose of flip flops now.

    • @Aoltooliol
      @Aoltooliol 3 года назад +15

      @@bravomike4734 as a minecraft player, i understood the principle of flip-flops with mumbo jumbo's redstone videos

    • @dimaryk11
      @dimaryk11 3 года назад +3

      @@bravomike4734 Bruh, it's just bits turning on and off

    • @bravomike4734
      @bravomike4734 3 года назад +1

      @@dimaryk11 Yeah but I gotta explain D Flip Flop, SR Flip Flop, etc in more technical terms with logic circuit.

  • @larrygraham3377
    @larrygraham3377 Год назад +113

    Really loved your video ; especially the " chain of flip flops ".
    Thank you for taking the time to explain a rather difficult operation into terms all us can understand.
    Keep up the great work.
    Can't wait for your next video.
    😁😁😁

    • @bossybill7437
      @bossybill7437 3 месяца назад +1

      Too bad, at 13:53 when he says he has 15 flip-flops, he actually has 16 (4 lots of 4).
      And depending on exactly how you care to count, he does need 15, not 16 or 14.
      Looks like he purposely marked that left-most, 16th, flip-flop a different colour, then got totally confused with the actual count versus the 'off by 1 error'.

  • @dmurray1200
    @dmurray1200 Год назад +70

    I've been on a rabbit hole of learning how a computer works. I learned about transistors, gates, memory, cpu, gpu... Of course I don't understand everything, but this video is exactly what I was looking for to understand how it actually works. Thanks!

  • @0xZ0F
    @0xZ0F 5 лет назад +1862

    13:53 You do need 15 flip flops and you had 16 hung up. You buy flip flops in pairs :)

    • @SteveMould
      @SteveMould  5 лет назад +325

      Damn. You're right. I've made a correction in the description. Thanks!

    • @SinanAkkoyun
      @SinanAkkoyun 5 лет назад +145

      @@SteveMould Off by one error to the power of two xD 13:55

    • @SteveMould
      @SteveMould  5 лет назад +170

      @@SinanAkkoyun two off by one errors DO make a right!

    • @mr2octavio
      @mr2octavio 5 лет назад +55

      @@SteveMould your brain at that moment was "ok so 4 x 4 =15"

    • @oneMeVz
      @oneMeVz 5 лет назад +47

      @@SteveMould Why don't they go the distance and use 2^16 Hz? Because if dogs can hear it, does it not eventually annoy them?

  • @Sparkette
    @Sparkette 3 года назад +1432

    "I've actually got a redundant flip-flop here. You don't need 15; you need 14. That was my mistake; that's called an off-by-one error."
    - Steve, as he holds the leftmost flip-flop in a chain of 16

    • @krebgurfson5732
      @krebgurfson5732 2 года назад +101

      off by 2 error!!!

    • @xHEROURx
      @xHEROURx 2 года назад +106

      flop-overflow-error xD

    • @thisguy1890
      @thisguy1890 2 года назад +86

      Off-by-one off-by-one error

    • @whitk034
      @whitk034 2 года назад +43

      @@krebgurfson5732 off by 10 😉

    • @UNSCPILOT
      @UNSCPILOT 2 года назад +5

      So what he thought was an error of 1 was an error of 2, hehe

  • @krunch3696
    @krunch3696 4 месяца назад +34

    A long time ago, when I was doing my GCSEs, I went to a STEM event where you were one of the presenters. If I remember correctly you demonstrated harmonic resonance patterns in sand on a vibrating plate. You were a huge inspiration for me getting into STEM. I went from that event and ended up getting an electronic engineering masters, and now I'm nearing 30 and working as an FPGA engineer watching you explain flip flops with flip flops. 😂
    Thank you for everything you do Steve, you inspired this engineer to find his dream career. I hope one day I can do the same for the next generation.

  • @RabidMortal1
    @RabidMortal1 Год назад +9

    This video is a high quality, comprehensive, yet communicated in an ever-engaging way. Not easy to pull off! The overall effect is is right up there with "The Secret Life of Machines" IMO. Bravo

  • @nddragoon
    @nddragoon 5 лет назад +1814

    This is the best explanation of piezoelectricity and quartz watches out there, thank you so much!

    • @joeynitro2794
      @joeynitro2794 5 лет назад +3

      Its also how binary works

    • @BillAnt
      @BillAnt 5 лет назад +8

      When he said "Flip-Flops" I had the feeling it's gonna be that clever British humor... and sure enough we got flip-flips alright... lol So now I know why cycling 32768 hz (ticks) through a 2^15 flip-flop = 1 sec :)

    • @Baigle1
      @Baigle1 4 года назад +3

      just came from a 1936 video about transmissions... this video _needs work_. sorry, but you have to know it well enough to explain it clear and concisely with *accurate* graphical depictions of the mechanisms at play.... flip flops? hall no.
      this would be better redone, as its more a mathematical approach and a half arsed attempt at a graphical explanation. i mean its likely better than most stuff out there, but those mid 1930s videos really ruined it for me.

    • @Baigle1
      @Baigle1 4 года назад

      @Dr. M. H. Constructive criticism. It was more strongly worded when typed out, trust me. Not been ill will for a long time, m8, sometimes just have enough of the worsening quality of internet content. Traps a lot of young souls and messes them up. I'm upset enough about how messed up some people get that watch TV, stupid shows that make them psychotic and out of touch with reality.
      Enjoy doctoring, keep up on pubmed and CME, depending on what kind of Dr. you might be.

    • @dbeierl
      @dbeierl 4 года назад +2

      @@Baigle1 Chevrolet had lots of money and I'm sure the Jam Handy organization had a bunch of people ready, willing, and able to spend it. I think you're being a bit hard on our host.

  • @brekkoh
    @brekkoh 5 лет назад +1566

    Steve spotted at a local convenience store "I'd like 7 and 1/2 pairs of flipflops please"

    • @Ellyerre
      @Ellyerre 5 лет назад +69

      That reminds of the Numberphile video where Brady ordered 43 nuggets from McDonalds*.
      *Other horrible fast-food chains are available.

    • @moncef0147
      @moncef0147 5 лет назад +40

      And then he finds out later that he didn't even need that 0.5 pair of flipflops,

    • @Miquelalalaa
      @Miquelalalaa 5 лет назад

      Convenience stores don’t sell flip flops.

    • @gralha_
      @gralha_ 5 лет назад +13

      @@Miquelalalaa I bought mine from a convenience store

    • @paulvale2985
      @paulvale2985 5 лет назад +1

      @Ricardo Lopes McS***s as they're more accurately known.

  • @17dhey36
    @17dhey36 Год назад +1

    Steve, I found your illustration remarkably comprehensible. They way you started with basic questions that how to keep the oscillation going and regulate it is the key to build the watch is evidence that you really understand how learning happens. Thank you!

  • @rvarnell9165
    @rvarnell9165 Год назад +3

    Best content on RUclips. Great job. Consistently provide interesting, informative and not bogged down with any hyper dramatic music and over production.
    Thanks for being better than the masses. You truly deserve awards and riches. We, as a society, seem to value and reward all the wrong things.

  • @chaithanyashyam3373
    @chaithanyashyam3373 5 лет назад +514

    You just taught us concepts of physics, chemistry, math and programming. Amazing!

    • @hebl47
      @hebl47 5 лет назад +51

      and alternate use for footwear

    • @db8989
      @db8989 5 лет назад +4

      there's still room to improve regarding counting ;-)
      But fair enough, I had to count several times to make sure it are actually are 16 flip flops hanging there and Steve kind of did it on the spot, so who am I to judge :D

    • @iProgramInCpp
      @iProgramInCpp 5 лет назад

      @@db8989 yeah, when the binary counter value reaches 32768, the MSB gets turned on, likewise, when it hits 65536, it turns off. That's how a 1 Hz wave can be generated from 32768 Hz

  • @boggybolt6782
    @boggybolt6782 4 года назад +1355

    Minecraft redstone taught me what a "flip-flop" circuit is.

    • @AlexM-xj7qd
      @AlexM-xj7qd 4 года назад +16

      First thing I thought of

    • @killingtimeitself
      @killingtimeitself 4 года назад +29

      t flip flops are what we call them in minecraft

    • @jasonhackman5553
      @jasonhackman5553 4 года назад +2

      same lol

    • @marios1861
      @marios1861 4 года назад +10

      @@killingtimeitself thats what a certain kind of flip flop is called in digital design too. I passed my exam through minecraft lol

    • @Thesunscreen
      @Thesunscreen 4 года назад

      @@exodeus7959 You are perhaps thinking of Jamaican elections?
      Flip-flop Circuses?

  • @thivyanmu
    @thivyanmu 8 месяцев назад +9

    You're an amazing teacher Steve. Your passion for science is inspiring. Thanks a lot for spreading knowledge :)

  • @pa-mo
    @pa-mo 8 месяцев назад +1

    I find the way you explain things, and that you remind us of what we just learned as you build in new knowledge is the clearest of anyone I've seen. Thanks!

  • @jackwall6512
    @jackwall6512 3 года назад +1183

    I can't get over the fact that there were 16 flip flops, and he thought there were 15.

    • @ptrinch
      @ptrinch 3 года назад +131

      Especially when coupled with the fact that upon realizing there was an extra flip flop, he erroneously assumed you only needed 14 to step down. Ironically, while there are used in powers of 2, they are sold in multiples of 2. I suppose whoever set that up was scratching their head while holding an extra flip flop and figured they'd hang it up as well.

    • @jackwall6512
      @jackwall6512 3 года назад +8

      @@ptrinch it would be great for him to reply and acknowledge, but ya know....lots of comments.

    • @jillkang6526
      @jillkang6526 3 года назад +45

      The off by one error, happens a lot in real life (:P)

    • @Peterb200295
      @Peterb200295 3 года назад +42

      I can't get over the fact how he explained all this so well, made this little error and corrected it in the description and then calls himself an idiot. This dude is anything but an idiot

    • @JoaoPedro-dx6pn
      @JoaoPedro-dx6pn 2 года назад +1

      I didnt even notice that

  • @TheWanderer28
    @TheWanderer28 2 года назад +524

    This is one of the very best videos I have seen on RUclips ever. There is no hype, no BS, just very clear, concise, and easy to follow explanations.

    • @dadutchboy2
      @dadutchboy2 2 года назад

      you sussy baka

    • @uwuowo4856
      @uwuowo4856 Год назад +3

      No BS?
      Flip,flop,flip,flop,flip,flop
      😐😂

    • @cheezesmoker8851
      @cheezesmoker8851 Год назад

      @@uwuowo4856 no bs yeah sure, refers to a theory as fact not even 2 mintues in.

    • @deathcorepyro
      @deathcorepyro Год назад

      You should look at Not What You Think, or Real Engineering, or Verittasium

    • @jansalomin
      @jansalomin Год назад +3

      @@cheezesmoker8851 Do you not know how theories work in science? Sure they aren't facts but in science we don't like suggest something is proven.

  • @bluedeskfan2754
    @bluedeskfan2754 Год назад +1

    Very good. Been reading a book on the history of time keeping, so felt the need to see proper video to demonstrate how the quartz movement works. And this certainly helped.

  • @VaalkinTheOnly
    @VaalkinTheOnly Год назад +67

    It's always been fascinating to me how Quartz Crystals are so important for digital timing circuits

    • @lambertovitali3152
      @lambertovitali3152 Год назад +8

      When I was 11 my friend found a rock with quartz in it and thought he'd become a millionaire.

    • @smears6039
      @smears6039 11 месяцев назад +3

      It could be any crystal really but quartz is just the most abundant

    • @catalintimofti1117
      @catalintimofti1117 11 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@smears6039 we mostly make it in labs these days

  • @NoOne-fe3gc
    @NoOne-fe3gc 4 года назад +1458

    Steve: "That's called an off by one error, happens a lot in programming"
    Me, a programmer: *vietnam flashbacks*

    • @deathbyrebirth8894
      @deathbyrebirth8894 4 года назад +37

      Yeah... but that's not actually called an off-by-one error, is it? What he's describing is just a spare bit, like you'd see with ASCII (since you only need 7 bits to represent ASCII characters). Off-by-one errors have to do with iterative loops... e.g. you accidentally iterate one too many times because you use >= instead of just >. Not to be picky, but if he explained how beta-amyloid plaques can build up in the brain causing cell death, and then said "This, by the way, is what people in the medical field refer to as a Heart Attack," you'd call that out right?

    • @pshalleck
      @pshalleck 4 года назад +33

      ​@@deathbyrebirth8894 The chain of flip-flops is an iterative loop and he had one more than intended; he forgot that the signal itself counts as the first power when counting down through them. The 15th flip-flop causes the loop to iterate one time more than intended; 15 flip-flops would be appropriate if the crystal oscillated at 2^16, or 65536 Hz.

    • @vannoo67
      @vannoo67 4 года назад +38

      @@pshalleck Yeah, except the OB1 error was that there were 16 flip-flops on the chain not 15

    • @pshalleck
      @pshalleck 4 года назад +26

      @@vannoo67 I heard you liked off-by-one errors, so I put an off-by-one error in your off-by-one error.

    • @matheuswohl
      @matheuswohl 4 года назад +1

      this is too relatable

  • @stackocakes
    @stackocakes 5 лет назад +374

    LOL, Never have I seen someone explain Flip-flop circuits using actual flip-flops.

    • @dansmith2863
      @dansmith2863 5 лет назад +31

      And a chain of Flip flops on an actual chain.

    • @OrangeC7
      @OrangeC7 5 лет назад +1

      @@dansmith2863 Hm. I didn't notice that.

    • @iwantitpaintedblack
      @iwantitpaintedblack 5 лет назад +8

      If RUclips had something like an "UltimateLike" where each user only has 1UltraLike and can give it to one video, this one will get it. mf explains a Chain of Flip-Flops, with an Actual chain of Flip-Flops, flipping and flopping around.

  • @saptrishi12
    @saptrishi12 8 месяцев назад

    exceptional explanation Steve, haven't seen these level of teaching on youtube.

  • @bubbletee857
    @bubbletee857 Год назад +7

    He always seems so happy to explain these complicated processes. It’s so cool to see things like this.

  • @miracbaverozturk4631
    @miracbaverozturk4631 5 лет назад +305

    I'm a computer engineering student and right now I am laughing out loud to your representation of flip flops.😂 keep up the good work sir.👍

    • @AchronTimeless
      @AchronTimeless 4 года назад +2

      I love how the most technical people come up with the most oddball examples from things. I still crack up thinking about how I was taught pointers using the handle off a broken cooking pan and a bunch of yarn taped to a chalk board.

    • @Mr_Spock512
      @Mr_Spock512 4 года назад +2

      Flip flop technology is amazing ... just don't use socks otherwise you'll look goofy.

    • @merlin7766
      @merlin7766 Месяц назад

      @@Mr_Spock512Flip-Flop technology is amazingly simple and I understood this at the age of eleven. I worry when people get excited about something so simple in that they would never be able to comprehend modern processor chips and alike that contains billions of flop flops etc. It is like saying I understand how a stick works.

  • @aaronschocke5463
    @aaronschocke5463 3 года назад +1021

    "That's called an 'off by one' error. Happens a lot in programming."
    *throws headphones*
    *screams in C#*

    • @BamoAAziz
      @BamoAAziz 3 года назад +18

      I am not a programmer, but I LOLed hard.

    • @aaronschocke5463
      @aaronschocke5463 3 года назад +10

      @@BamoAAziz I LOL'd at myself 🤣

    • @asadnaeem76
      @asadnaeem76 3 года назад +61

      C# the language or C# the musical note 🤣

    • @aaronschocke5463
      @aaronschocke5463 3 года назад +39

      @@asadnaeem76 Both 🤣

    • @vicenzomarsal3012
      @vicenzomarsal3012 3 года назад +30

      I would scream in C++

  • @Almanacs
    @Almanacs Год назад +20

    This blew my mind up!!!! Thanks so much for your amazing content.

  • @vleessjuu
    @vleessjuu 5 лет назад +285

    Explaining flip-flops with flip-flops. I love it!

    • @JolanRensen
      @JolanRensen 5 лет назад +7

      Explaining a chain of flip-flops using a chain of flip-flops even! What a man

    • @leerman22
      @leerman22 5 лет назад +3

      I wanted to see 32,768 flip-floppings.

    • @Think-About-It
      @Think-About-It 5 лет назад

      the flip flops also make sounds when you walk like "flip flop.... flip flop....."

    • @merlin7766
      @merlin7766 Месяц назад

      @@leerman22 why? I think you are missing the division by 2 to arrive at 1Hz

  • @lincolnkarim1
    @lincolnkarim1 4 года назад +249

    Man! I've been working with timing circuits since 1979. Mostly 555 for all my personal circuits, but quartz for the old analog TV subcarrier frequency (3,58 MHz). Quartz controlled timers just worked like magic and that was that.
    I never fully understood them until now. I totally understand the piezo-electric effect. I busted open dozens of stove lighters, tweeters, but never had someone like yourself to explain it so well to me. I ought to have regrets, but it would not matter--just happy to have bumped into your video regardless how late. All I had to do was bust open a crystal and look at it under a microscope to realize it was a tuning fork shape device. My lame imagination of the shape was a 'salt crystal' with two wires which some factory worker chipped away at with a tiny chisel until the numbers were right. If they chipped away too much, then they start with a new fat crystal. Thanks and bless you for taking the time to do this.

    • @dank6617
      @dank6617 3 года назад +7

      Wait a minute, wait a minute doc... are you telling me you built a time machine... out of a Delorean?

    • @kenlogsdon7095
      @kenlogsdon7095 3 года назад

      @@dank6617 Nah, I only played with MC790P dual JK RTL flops when I was a kid.... in the 60s.

  • @1581zebra
    @1581zebra Год назад +4

    Great video. That answered a couple of things I never knew about quarts watches. Thanks!
    Side note: plenty of mechanical watches can easily keep time better than one second per day. The one I wear daily gains about half a second per day.
    But, a couple of my quartz watches are within a couple of seconds per month, so still better in that way.
    Still, there aren’t many times I’ll put on a quartz and leave the mechanical at home.

  • @toffeepie1878
    @toffeepie1878 8 месяцев назад +9

    As an Electronic Engineer can I say this is just awesome - the flip flop bit was genius. I love all watches, particuarly Seiko and have a mechanical KS56 from 1971 accurate to 1s/day but I also have high end Quartz models from the late 70s accurate to 10spy and 5spy - these were so expensive back then they were out of reach of everyone but you can get good examples if you know what you are looking for. Seiko were masters of the Quartz movement and the end result was high precision thermocoupled quartz crystal timepieces like the Grand Quartz and Superior Quartz, an exercise in Japanese opulence

    • @chrisengland5523
      @chrisengland5523 5 месяцев назад

      Yes, I'm an EE too and I laughed at the chain of flip-flops.

  • @McCov1
    @McCov1 4 года назад +656

    Every second of this video was really valuable. Thank you for sharing !

    • @HackysackTrav
      @HackysackTrav 3 года назад +8

      i see what you did there

    • @antonipolski9569
      @antonipolski9569 3 года назад

      Because their expensive

    • @albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797
      @albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797 3 года назад +2

      Except "this video is sponsored by nord vpn"

    • @akshaykushawaha2160
      @akshaykushawaha2160 3 года назад +1

      @@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797 no man, he has to even have a sponsor for his videos and after watching such an amazing video that ending was perfectly done

    • @D4egon
      @D4egon 3 года назад +2

      I guess what you meant is every 2^15 quartz vibrations of this video was amazing

  • @randyhochuli4540
    @randyhochuli4540 4 года назад +433

    You do need 15 flip-flops! You miss counted your chain, you have 16 on that wall! Amazing video! Subscribed 🙏

    • @guyingrey1072
      @guyingrey1072 4 года назад +20

      Yup, 0-14 is 15.

    • @MaulikParmar210
      @MaulikParmar210 4 года назад +10

      Actually 16 bit counter in which 16th bit is used as carry, which is your bit to trigger second, other circuitry would reset it, trigger the tick logic, that makes sense in real scenarios as counter won't have to wait further for next second. Microcontrollers and programmable logic is taken for granted these days!

    • @ahmadalhuwaish7504
      @ahmadalhuwaish7504 4 года назад +1

      If you divide 2^15 by 2 16 times you will get to 1 which is the frequency that you would want.

    • @monstercolorfunco4391
      @monstercolorfunco4391 4 года назад +20

      this is what a flip flop chain actually looks like on silicon www.alibaba.com/product-detail/custom-soft-PVC-rubber-silicone-flip_60450932806.html

    • @WhiteHenny
      @WhiteHenny 4 года назад +18

      @@ahmadalhuwaish7504 If you divide 2^15 by 2 16 times you get 2^(15-16) = 2^(-1) = 0.5

  • @bofinq4839
    @bofinq4839 Год назад +1

    Great explanation. I always thought that it was just tiny dragons tapping their talons to electronic dance music but the more you know.

  • @ninetenscoffee5780
    @ninetenscoffee5780 6 месяцев назад

    this video has the most complete information to understand quartz watch and no one else come close. well done steve!

  • @IMMORTALSYMPHONIES
    @IMMORTALSYMPHONIES 3 года назад +398

    "If you let it vibrate then it will eventually die down"
    **actually waits to see the ruler stop vibrating**

    • @H10933X
      @H10933X 3 года назад +10

      Legend has it it is still vibrating and expected dead wud occur in 2090

    • @harchan6274
      @harchan6274 2 года назад +1

      If there is no opposing or resistive force then it may continue

  • @aarshinpanchal
    @aarshinpanchal 3 года назад +392

    this video should be declared official learning in schools, colleges, and everywhere... Every bit and bytes are valuable.

    • @hxhdfjifzirstc894
      @hxhdfjifzirstc894 3 года назад +7

      Schools have become commie indoctrination bunkers.

    • @timothylegg
      @timothylegg 3 года назад +2

      In the US, even Engineers lack the credentials to be educators, fortunately, ambitious people can find these videos to learn for themselves and save the patriotic stories and songs for school

    • @kinggenderman1874
      @kinggenderman1874 2 года назад +1

      @@hxhdfjifzirstc894 not sure about the commie part unless you're chinese but yeah

    • @elijahbuscho7715
      @elijahbuscho7715 2 года назад +3

      lol no one needs to know about how quartz watches work

    • @mortache
      @mortache 2 года назад +1

      @@hxhdfjifzirstc894 lol I wish

  • @WRjockey
    @WRjockey Год назад

    What an outstanding video!! It takes a special gift to be able to explain very technical concepts in an easily understandable way. Thank you, sir!!

  • @gabrielabezerra3434
    @gabrielabezerra3434 11 месяцев назад +1

    That’s absolutely the best explanation I’ve heard about the subject. Amazing educational skills! Thank you very much for the content

  • @IcyWingsLetsPlays
    @IcyWingsLetsPlays 4 года назад +769

    Did you just use a chain of literal flip-flops to explain binary?

    • @vipervidsgamingplus5723
      @vipervidsgamingplus5723 4 года назад +33

      Yes he did, it is a bit easier for some to visualize than saying so this signal turns it to a one and then with the off signal a zero and goes on down the chain. Some people don’t pick up on stuff like that some do he just wanted people to learn and used the easiest way possible to explain it.

    • @hectorcorona9536
      @hectorcorona9536 4 года назад +32

      I have a better question: did he own for some reason 8 pairs of flip-flops or did he bought them for the demonstration only? And what happen to the extra flop?

    • @eloyex
      @eloyex 4 года назад +2

      hahahaha ..... unnecesary but funny !! this guy really push the enevlope !

    • @elbarto8282
      @elbarto8282 4 года назад +6

      No, he used a literal chain of literal flip-flops lmao

    • @bryyytt
      @bryyytt 3 года назад +1

      analogy ❤️

  • @sean..L
    @sean..L 5 лет назад +231

    I rate this video 9.7/10: flip-flop redundancy is a costly error.

  • @baraskparas9559
    @baraskparas9559 Год назад

    Fantastic presentation and eloquent delivery.

  • @jeanangelo98
    @jeanangelo98 Год назад +1

    What a lovely, succinct, and easy to understand video. Bravo! I had fun learning about this :)

  • @AntonyTCurtis
    @AntonyTCurtis 4 года назад +353

    You didn't mention Casio's trick: Early quartz watches were not particularly accurate until Casio started calibrating their crystals at 37 degrees C... The body temperature of the wearer is used to keep the watch accurate.

    • @Noise-Bomb
      @Noise-Bomb 4 года назад +55

      Antony T Curtis So basically if you have fever the watch would run slightly faster?

    • @TheFeldhamster
      @TheFeldhamster 4 года назад +207

      @@Noise-Bomb Doc: how high is your fever
      Patient: 1 second per day

    • @AustrianEconomist
      @AustrianEconomist 4 года назад +63

      @@TheFeldhamster this is probably the most niche joke I have ever heard in my entire life. Amazing lmao

    • @creounity
      @creounity 4 года назад +3

      Well 36.6 deg С, to be precise =)

    • @ThomasCorfield
      @ThomasCorfield 4 года назад +21

      Doc: How high is your fever?
      Patient: 1 second per day
      Doc: Hmm. Take three flip-flops, twice a day for seven days.
      Patient: But I'm allergic to flip-flops!
      Doc: Then shut up and die.

  • @Jesse__H
    @Jesse__H 5 лет назад +91

    As an educator I am seriously envious of your capabilities as an educator. If my students knew about you they'd wish they had you for first period instead of me 🤔😁

    • @SteveMould
      @SteveMould  5 лет назад +8

      That's really kind thank you. Thanks for being an educator in person. That's awesome.

    • @josephdestaubin7426
      @josephdestaubin7426 4 года назад +2

      Yeah, I come from a family of teachers and I noticed that as well, especially the way he quickly digressed from the discussion about atomic clocks, giving just enough information to move the student forward without distracting them from his key points.

  • @SciTechVault
    @SciTechVault 11 месяцев назад +3

    You are a true genius. Very few experts can explain with such authority. Wow, Steve!

  • @welingkartr416
    @welingkartr416 Год назад +16

    Fun and educational! One always knew that there was something ticking inside watches, but it was a mystery how quartz watches converted the vibrations into counting time. Thanks a lot!

  • @waynetrinklein5938
    @waynetrinklein5938 2 года назад +246

    This was way cooler than I was expecting! Props (or flops) to you for actually chaining together the flip flops and using that to explain it. that totally helped make sense!

  • @tylerg7118
    @tylerg7118 3 года назад +97

    This is crazy, I’m currently taking a basic electronics course and I just learned about logic gates, crystal rectifiers, and pretty much all of the stuff he went rover in this video. In fact I have a test on it tomorrow and this just helped further my knowledge.

    • @confused.cat.
      @confused.cat. 3 года назад

      How was your test?

    • @tylerg7118
      @tylerg7118 3 года назад +9

      Jainish Patel 96, I missed a simple question about zener diodes because I wasn’t paying enough attention

    • @xxlightspeedxx6050
      @xxlightspeedxx6050 2 года назад +3

      @@tylerg7118 Congrats!

    • @WeirdOleHippy
      @WeirdOleHippy 2 года назад +1

      "went rover" ha ha ha, he sure did. good luck on the test.

  • @josimarsiete
    @josimarsiete 28 дней назад +1

    Todo claro, seriedad, claridad, profundidad. Muchas gracias

  • @harshporwal
    @harshporwal 7 месяцев назад

    Beautifully explained

  • @christopherbrooke2142
    @christopherbrooke2142 5 лет назад +42

    Thank you so much for mentioning the Accutron! Most people who explain quartz watches neglect to mention the Accutron, even though it is the predecessor to the quartz system.

  • @macvideoworld
    @macvideoworld 4 года назад +44

    I've spent most of my life as a programmer, and really enjoyed this video. Not just informational but almost stand-up-comedic. The flip-flops chain made laugh and made my day; Wish there were more such people on earth.

  • @ronit9284
    @ronit9284 Год назад +1

    absolute mad lad. clear concepts and interesting explanations 💯

  • @cclark8006
    @cclark8006 Год назад

    Love your work! Wish I'd had teachers like you!

  • @wolfsummer3617
    @wolfsummer3617 4 года назад +147

    Being a Watchmaker myself I got to say brilliantly explained.

    • @jurivlk5433
      @jurivlk5433 4 года назад

      I agree, also being a watchmaker!

    • @drago7410
      @drago7410 4 года назад +1

      @@jurivlk5433 is watch making hard?

    • @xw591
      @xw591 4 года назад

      @@jurivlk5433 Start a channel!

  • @cimachu
    @cimachu 4 года назад +487

    "My bad you actually need 14 cuz this is 15 and i have one to many"
    actually has 16 flip flops

    • @khaledzaidan
      @khaledzaidan 3 года назад +16

      ah, thank you, i was gonna go crazy with this trying to figure out how 14!

    • @andihartono92
      @andihartono92 3 года назад +15

      he just bought 8 pair of flipflops.
      so, he have 1spare why not just hang it all.😂

    • @akashshukla7
      @akashshukla7 3 года назад +12

      You need 15

    • @enjerth78
      @enjerth78 3 года назад +5

      @@akashshukla7 The operation of the second hand is the 15th signal so you don't need the flipflop at that position, just directly power the stepper motor at that point.

    • @corv882002
      @corv882002 3 года назад +6

      @@andihartono92 because now his flip flop watch runs at 1 hour every 30 minutes

  • @rendyrend
    @rendyrend Год назад

    Your flip flop method helped me a lot You visualized something highly abstract so even I could understand.

  • @joe-kl8ff
    @joe-kl8ff 10 месяцев назад +1

    wasnt even thinking about steve mould, i was just wondering how a quartz watch works and here steve mould is explaining it better than anyone
    thank you steve mould

  • @rogeronslow1498
    @rogeronslow1498 4 года назад +202

    8 pairs of hardly used flip flops for sale on ebay now.

  • @gewinnste
    @gewinnste 4 года назад +234

    This should be the benchmark for all purposes of teaching.

    • @larjkok1184
      @larjkok1184 4 года назад

      gewinnste
      What, painfully tedious?

    • @QuickishFM
      @QuickishFM 4 года назад +11

      @@larjkok1184 I found it tedious only because I already have the electronics knowledge of latches and FFs. However, for someone completely new to the field, its a nice explanation on the frequency division of a clock signal.

    • @paulkazjack
      @paulkazjack 4 года назад

      Kids ain't interested anymore they're more interested in I'm a celebrity or strictly or Britains got no talent.

    • @myst5454
      @myst5454 4 года назад

      paulkazjack You’re just as ignorant as the people you’re trying to describe.

    • @gewinnste
      @gewinnste Месяц назад

      @@larjkok1184What would you have improved?

  • @keagawn
    @keagawn 2 года назад

    Need more of these videos, very well described!

  • @ChrisDart4232
    @ChrisDart4232 6 месяцев назад

    Brilliant explanation comfortably spoken!

  • @AthanCondax
    @AthanCondax 4 года назад +46

    Was watching this video on my tv. I had to run upstairs and grab my phone just so I could write this comment. This is an EXCELLENT explanation. Great video, subscribed!

  • @nexisle7508
    @nexisle7508 5 лет назад +85

    Your explanations are just on point. I'm a CS student, had a semester of flipflop explanations but somehow your simple flipflop explanation explained more 😍
    Keep doing what you love my man. God bless your life

    • @c4alexc4
      @c4alexc4 5 лет назад +4

      If you really learned more about Flipflops in 4 minutes on RUclips than in a whole semester you should really think about your uni choices tbh

    • @nexisle7508
      @nexisle7508 5 лет назад +1

      @@c4alexc4 ikr. Sucks that there are people who arent fortunate enough to end up in a place even passable as a university. The bright side is we got guys like steve to save us ;)

    • @KamuiPan
      @KamuiPan 5 лет назад

      @@c4alexc4 Yeah, you need to have nice pedigree if you want to be hire as a minion in Communist (Silicon) Valley.

  • @HeiderSati
    @HeiderSati Год назад +1

    Brilliant video mate, you described better than any other video I've seen, thanks a million Steve.

  • @messier8769
    @messier8769 2 года назад +1

    Still rewatching your videos from years ago. I really love your teaching style Steve! Oh and when you brought Destin to your back yard and asked him his thoughts on the wich way the water will come out of the spout that you constructed he said the right way but I think it's because he is an engineer 😉 if it were a aka normal everyday joe everyone's intuition would be the water will drag behind aka "trailing" behind circular movement but what happens is completely opposite what you would assume. And wow wow wow, I was amazed 👏🏼,

  • @horaciorodd
    @horaciorodd Год назад +1

    My man, this video is just genius. Genius, smart and fun to watch. This is the type of thing that moves humanity forward, so genius.

  • @Asatruction
    @Asatruction 4 года назад +14

    As a computer scientist, the T-flip flop binary counter was the cutest explanation of the concept I've ever seen. The effort and will put into it was amazing. I immediately felt at home as soon as you mentioned the quartz' frequency. Thanks a lot for this truly great explanation of quartz watches!

  • @domenicdefrancesco
    @domenicdefrancesco 4 года назад +50

    LMAO, I've never seen someone explain how a flip-flops works with flip flops. Good job.

  • @wescobts
    @wescobts 3 месяца назад

    I know i am waaay late to this video, but... what an awesome video. I understood the basics of a quartz watch, but this really cleaned up the details. I have always been a fan of quartz, and this video solidifies how so important they are to the industry.
    well done

  • @a_user_from_earth
    @a_user_from_earth 4 месяца назад

    its just a joy to watch you explain. You're an amazing teacher. After a full master of theoretical physics I've for the first time really understood these parts (apart from learning them). Further, I think its even more funny how you found out about your off by one mistake. Its great to find joy in them.

  • @anders2821
    @anders2821 4 года назад +178

    4:36
    Everytime they get too close to you, you push them away.
    same.
    same....

  • @TheGhjgjgjgjgjg
    @TheGhjgjgjgjgjg 3 года назад +387

    "You know a pendulum swing takes one second" Actually I never thought about that before hahahaha

    • @user-mz7cn9hq8v
      @user-mz7cn9hq8v 3 года назад +3

      This sounds like something my brother would sAY ALL THE F TIME

    • @giahannguyen6939
      @giahannguyen6939 3 года назад +5

      hahaha...*nervous laugh*

    • @calinguga
      @calinguga 3 года назад +68

      i maybe sense some misunderstanding - the pendulum's resonant frequency is dependent on its length and the gravity. you *know* the swing takes one second because you've *tuned* it as such, by adjusting the height of the weight (the large disc) at the end.

    • @abdullahenaya
      @abdullahenaya 3 года назад +6

      Călin Guga Actually the weight doesn't matter in determining the frequency. But I guess it's used to lower the effect of drag

    • @WilisL
      @WilisL 3 года назад +16

      @@abdullahenaya You should read Calins reply again which is entirely correct.

  • @edwardhammock24
    @edwardhammock24 Год назад +1

    Brilliant explanation of flip flops, I did this in my A levels two decades ago and never grasped the Vale of flip flops. Thank you.

  • @Christianarphansen
    @Christianarphansen Год назад

    Excellent explanation as always. I really like the informal style and enjoy the humor!

  • @thereprehensible435
    @thereprehensible435 4 года назад +91

    Explaining flip-flops with flip-flops.
    Subbed AF.

  • @Rouverius
    @Rouverius 5 лет назад +31

    "So, how DO you divide your time?"
    "With Poundland flip-flops obviously."
    Seriously, clever visualization. thanks!

  • @sundaramvenkitarama3956
    @sundaramvenkitarama3956 Год назад

    I was looking for a good explanation on how quartz watches work. This is about the best explanation I could find. Thanks, Steve.

  • @AsmitPandit
    @AsmitPandit 2 года назад

    Amazing video explaining the quartz to keep time!! Down to the nuts and bolts!! Thank you Sir!

  • @vmpy2024
    @vmpy2024 5 лет назад +10

    As a school kid I was curious to understand how a electronic clock worked and ended up spoiling one (got thrashed for that). I didn't have resources or reading materials back then in 90's in India :( .
    But now I feel relieved or enlightened.
    Thanks you Steve. Really enjoyed your video.

    • @0MoTheG
      @0MoTheG 4 года назад

      This explanation was not very in dept, there is more to be known about the circuit and temperature dependency. I know for a fact that even the vast majority of EEs does not know how a simple quartz oscillator works.

  • @welshsteve2009
    @welshsteve2009 5 лет назад +123

    I know how a 'flip-flop' circuit works, I've built a few...
    ...that chain of flip-flops though!
    I cant get the image out of my head, lol

    • @allajunaki
      @allajunaki 5 лет назад +5

      This is a counter circuit, if I’m not mistaken. This is how you count in binary 😉

    • @welshsteve2009
      @welshsteve2009 5 лет назад +1

      @@allajunaki Correct 😀

    • @davedocgrander6209
      @davedocgrander6209 4 года назад

      It's too funky n funny!
      Poetically PRICELESS humor,🤣 umm, unless you subscribe to the channel, but, as long as the original humor flows periodically, it's miniscule! LöL 😂 hahaha Hahhhhh
      Laughing is an XLNT form of healthy excercise that'll keep you young at ♥!

    • @sethatkins3731
      @sethatkins3731 4 года назад

      laughs in binary

    • @adoreslaurel
      @adoreslaurel 4 года назад

      Arr so you know that these "Flip Flops" are in actual fact THONGS. But i guess for decency purposes where you live they have to be re titled .

  • @OceanBagel
    @OceanBagel 7 месяцев назад +2

    Steve Mould going to the store to buy 30 feet of chain and 10 pairs of flip flops for a gag must have been a hilarious sight to see

  • @Old_Yeast
    @Old_Yeast 4 месяца назад

    the flip flop demonstration dropping the frequency is crazy, thanks for the video :)

  • @falxonPSN
    @falxonPSN 4 года назад +14

    As an Electrical Engineer, I have to salute the fact that you demonstrated flip flops using flip-flops. The idea would never have occurred to me, and it's GENIUS.

  • @sensiblewheels
    @sensiblewheels 5 лет назад +30

    This explaination where you answer every related question/concept with amazing methods is absolutely wonderful!
    Should have found this channel a long while ago. But fortunate I found it atlest now.
    Thanks for everything!

    • @Stigstigster
      @Stigstigster 5 лет назад +2

      The man is a fantastic educator. His ability to convey concepts and facts is up there with the best. I feel the same in being fortunate to access these videos.

    • @caniscerulean
      @caniscerulean 5 лет назад

      My favorite part of being late to find a channel is that I have their entire backlog to go through at my leisure. (Not) Having that leisure time is another problem entirely.

  • @JavierBonillaC
    @JavierBonillaC 8 месяцев назад

    Brilliant video. Truly, one of the best I’ve seen in my 60 years. Instant subscriber.

  • @ekos8487
    @ekos8487 4 месяца назад

    a very nice explanation, simple but comprehensive

  • @thighcurlcontest
    @thighcurlcontest 3 года назад +12

    Just got into your channel from SmarterEveryDay. It takes a great mind to be able to explain things concisely and make them accessible to the average person, and you absolutely nail it. Good stuff.

  • @krenovaFromSG
    @krenovaFromSG 4 года назад +57

    finally understood a little of the device i wear everyday! thanks steve.

    • @valinhorn42
      @valinhorn42 4 года назад +2

      It's amazing just how much technology is in flip flops.

  • @cyndicorinne
    @cyndicorinne Год назад

    Great explanation of how the quartz crystal oscillator works. Amazing both in its simplicity as with its ingenuity!

  • @gijoraj623
    @gijoraj623 Год назад

    Thanks for explaining the working of the quartz watches so clear. Merci beaucoup

  • @TyBraek
    @TyBraek 4 года назад +164

    I always find it funny when watch snobs say "you'll never find me with a quartz watch. Mechanical watches are superior." Literally the only thing a watch is supposed to do is keep time, and quartz watches keep better time. I had a $5 quartz watch that kept time way better than most mechanical watches. Don't get me wrong I love mechanical watches. They're amazing pieces of engineering, and they're beautiful, but they don't keep good time, and if you don't wear them all the time they stop running (which means you're constantly adjusting it whether you wear it or not). Even losing 5 seconds (which is pretty accurate for a mechanical) is a lot of time loss. I have a pretty cheap Casio that has a 10 year battery and only gets about a minute off every 4-5 months.

    • @calinguga
      @calinguga 3 года назад +1

      true

    • @mariobros7834
      @mariobros7834 3 года назад +8

      I don't understand why use any watch nowadays. Everybody has a mobile phone and uses it everyday everywhere. Even before smart phones, all of them had clocks.

    • @TheGrayWolf81
      @TheGrayWolf81 3 года назад +39

      @@mariobros7834 Looking at your wrist is far more convenient than digging a phone out of a pocket whilst also having to wake it up.

    • @sauron269
      @sauron269 3 года назад

      Mechanical watches are shit.

    • @incognitoburrito6020
      @incognitoburrito6020 3 года назад +27

      @@mariobros7834 Aside from what the other person said, it's pretty easy to find yourself in situations where you can't, shouldn't, or aren't allowed to access a phone. Work, school, formal events, driving, lost it, camping, being very near water, keeping it somewhere else, stuff like that. Even just wearing a dress can make it surprisingly inconvenient to check a phone, since the big brains in fashion decide they aren't worth pockets. I usually have my phone within arms' reach, but watches are nice for situations like that.

  • @petersmith1190
    @petersmith1190 3 года назад +35

    The amount of flipflops you bought for a single gag is amazing x

    • @motazfawzi2504
      @motazfawzi2504 3 года назад +3

      He would wear them in succession for the rest of his life.

    • @SternLX
      @SternLX 2 года назад +1

      $1 per pair at the 99Cent store. :)

    • @KaityKat117
      @KaityKat117 2 года назад +1

      @@SternLX interesting that there's a store of that type in Europe that accepts American currency.

  • @hassansaleh6351
    @hassansaleh6351 7 месяцев назад

    Thank you so much for this great educational video