Final answer:
The system clock is the device responsible for timing activities on the motherboard, using a crystal oscillator to generate a consistent series of electrical pulses to keep components synchronized, much like an electronic detection system offers precise timing over manual measurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The device dedicated to timing the activities on the motherboard is the system clock. This clock is responsible for generating timing signals that orchestrate the operations within the computer. To ensure that all components work together harmoniously, the system clock uses a crystal oscillator, comparable to the functioning of a conventional stopwatch being triggered by a specific event. The crystal oscillator generates a consistent series of electrical pulses at a precise frequency, which in turn regulates the timing for the entire computer system, similar to how a stopwatch is used to measure elapsed time with accuracy.
In essence, the system clock serves as the heartbeat for the motherboard, keeping components synchronized. Without it, processes wouldn't be able to coordinate, leading to system failure. In comparison, when considering real-world events such as stopping at a red traffic light, electronic detection systems provide more precise timing than human reaction, just as the system clock provides precise timing for computing processes, thus avoiding potential complications from asynchronous operations.