AM and PM
A day has 24 hours, but a clock only shows 12 hours. So the clock goes around twice in one day. We use AM and PM to tell if it is morning time or afternoon and evening time.
In Class 2, we learn when to use AM and when to use PM so we can say the exact time of day.
What is AM and PM - Class 2 Maths (Time (Grade 2))?
AM stands for the time from midnight (12:00) to just before noon (11:59). This covers the early morning and morning hours.
PM stands for the time from noon (12:00) to just before midnight (11:59). This covers the afternoon, evening, and night.
AM = After Midnight (morning) | PM = Past Midday (afternoon/night)
Types and Properties
AM times (midnight to noon):
- 12:00 AM — midnight (you are sleeping)
- 6:00 AM — early morning (you wake up)
- 8:00 AM — morning (school starts)
- 11:00 AM — late morning
PM times (noon to midnight):
- 12:00 PM — noon (lunch time)
- 2:00 PM — afternoon
- 5:00 PM — evening (play time)
- 8:00 PM — night (dinner time)
- 10:00 PM — bedtime
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Morning or Evening?
Question: Ria wakes up at 7:00 in the morning. Is this AM or PM?
Think:
- Morning time is AM
- 7:00 in the morning = 7:00 AM
Answer: It is 7:00 AM.
Example 2: Example 2: Afternoon Time
Question: Aman comes home from school at 3:00 in the afternoon. Is this AM or PM?
Think:
- Afternoon time is PM
- 3:00 in the afternoon = 3:00 PM
Answer: It is 3:00 PM.
Example 3: Example 3: Bedtime
Question: Priya goes to bed at 9:00 at night. Is this AM or PM?
Think:
- Night time is PM
- 9:00 at night = 9:00 PM
Answer: It is 9:00 PM.
Example 4: Example 4: Noon
Question: Dev eats lunch at 12:00 noon. Is this 12:00 AM or 12:00 PM?
Think:
- Noon = 12:00 in the daytime
- Noon is PM
Answer: It is 12:00 PM.
Example 5: Example 5: Midnight
Question: It is 12:00 at night. Is this AM or PM?
Think:
- 12:00 at night = midnight
- Midnight is AM
Answer: It is 12:00 AM.
Example 6: Example 6: School Assembly
Question: Meera's school assembly is at 8:30. She says "8:30 PM". Is she correct?
Think:
- School assembly happens in the morning
- Morning time = AM
Answer: No, Meera is wrong. The assembly is at 8:30 AM, not PM.
Example 7: Example 7: Daily Schedule
Question: Write AM or PM for each activity:
- Brushing teeth at 6:30 → ?
- Eating dinner at 8:00 → ?
- Playing cricket at 4:00 → ?
Answer:
- Brushing teeth at 6:30 → 6:30 AM (morning)
- Eating dinner at 8:00 → 8:00 PM (night)
- Playing cricket at 4:00 → 4:00 PM (afternoon)
Key Points to Remember
- AM = from midnight (12:00) to just before noon. It covers morning hours.
- PM = from noon (12:00) to just before midnight. It covers afternoon, evening, and night.
- 12:00 PM = noon. 12:00 AM = midnight.
- We use AM and PM because a clock only shows 12 hours, but a day has 24 hours.
- Think about what you are doing to decide AM or PM — school and breakfast are AM; dinner and bedtime are PM.
Practice Problems
- Is 6:00 in the morning AM or PM?
- Is 7:30 in the evening AM or PM?
- Write the time with AM or PM: lunch at 12:30.
- Kavi wakes up at 6:15 and sleeps at 9:00 at night. Write both times with AM or PM.
- Aditi says she eats breakfast at 7:30 PM. Is she correct? Why or why not?
- Name one activity you do in the AM and one you do in the PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does AM mean?
AM means the time from midnight to just before noon. It covers the early morning and morning hours (12:00 AM to 11:59 AM).
Q2. What does PM mean?
PM means the time from noon to just before midnight. It covers the afternoon, evening, and night (12:00 PM to 11:59 PM).
Q3. Is 12:00 noon AM or PM?
12:00 noon is 12:00 PM.
Q4. Is 12:00 midnight AM or PM?
12:00 midnight is 12:00 AM.
Q5. Why do we need AM and PM?
A clock shows only 12 hours, but a day has 24 hours. AM and PM help us tell if the time is morning or afternoon/night.
Q6. How do I decide if a time is AM or PM?
Think about the activity. If it happens in the morning (before noon), it is AM. If it happens in the afternoon, evening, or night, it is PM.
Q7. Is school time AM or PM?
School usually starts in the AM (morning) and may continue into the PM (afternoon) depending on when it ends.
