Understanding Clock Angles
To determine the angle between the hour and minute hands of a clock, we can use a systematic approach based on their positions at a specific time.
Position of the Hour Hand
- At 8:00 am, the hour hand points directly at the 8.
- Each hour mark on the clock represents 30 degrees (360 degrees/12 hours).
- Therefore, the position of the hour hand at 8:00 is:
8 x 30 = 240 degrees from the 12 o'clock position.
Position of the Minute Hand
- At 8:00, the minute hand points at the 12.
- The minute hand is at 0 degrees since it is at the top of the clock.
Calculating the Angle Between the Hands
- To find the angle between the hour and minute hands, subtract the smaller angle from the larger angle:
240 degrees (hour hand) - 0 degrees (minute hand) = 240 degrees.
Finding the Smaller Angle
- Since angles on a clock can also be measured in the opposite direction, we can find the smaller angle:
360 degrees - 240 degrees = 120 degrees.
Conclusion
- The angle formed between the arms of the clock at 8:00 am is 120 degrees.
- This angle represents the space between the hour hand pointing at 8 and the minute hand pointing at 12.

120 degree