Multiple choice

If a pendulum clock is taken from the equator to the poles, it will _____.

  1. run slow

  2. run fast

  3. give the same time

  4. stop altogether
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The acceleration due to gravity (g) is higher at the poles than at the equator due to Earth's shape (oblate spheroid) and rotational effects. Since the time period of a pendulum is T = 2π√(L/g), a higher g means a shorter time period. The clock completes each swing faster, so it effectively runs slow (loses time) when compared to its rate at the equator.

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