It has a second hand, right? Does it move smoothly or does it move in second increments (ticking motion)?

It moves in increments, tick, tick, tick. Think you'll like it. We do. When we first got it it would stop or run slow, but now it stays right on.

how do you set the alarm on the casio tq140?

Set the time you want the alarm to go off by turning the dial on the back of the clock; this moves the small silver alarm hand to the desired part of the clock face. Turn the alarm on by pulling up the small button on the top of the clock, depress this same button (visible in the picture in it's depressed state) to turn the alarm off.

How do you open the clock to get the battery in?===thank you!!!

There is a battery door on the back of the clock. You just need to slide it open.

Does this glow in the dark? Is the alarm loud?

Glows in the dark if it was charged / exposed to light. Numbers can be iffy but you can def see the hands. Beep is loud and annoying enough to wake the average human, provided you have normal hearing and sleep pattern. Some people sleep through a 5 alarm house fire...