10 points for first in deciphering Physics Problem?
Question:
Answer: The pendulum would shorten and the clock gain.
Is this answer correct and what does it mean by "the clock gain"?
Answer:
The clock would gain time, over a period of time.
it can gain anywhere from a fraction of a sec onward, depending on the mass, length and swing of the pendulum.
Also if the pendulum gets warm, the rod will expand, and grow longer, causing the pendulum to swing slower, loosing time
This means that the clock will gain time.
The period of the pendulum is the time taken for two swings (left to right and back again) of the pendulum. The formula for the period, T, is
T = 2π√(l/g)
l = length of the pendulum
g = acceleration due to gravity
as T is directly proportional to l,
when the clock is colder, the pendulum shrinks. This means l decreases, and T decreases in proportion to the decrease in l. In this case, the clock gains time.
When the clock is warmer, the pendulum expands, and lengthens. This means that l increases, and T increases in proportion to the increase in l. In this case, the clock loses time.
For more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/pendulum...
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