Question

A wall clock uses a vertical spring mass system to measure the time. Each time the mass reaches an extrem position, the clock advances by a second. The clock gives correct time at the equator. If the clock is taken to the poles it will

A. run slow
B. run fast
C. stop working
D. give correct time

Answer 1

When a wall clock with a vertical spring mass system is taken from the equator to the poles, it will likely run slow due to the higher acceleration due to gravity at the poles, which affects the system's period.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a wall clock uses a vertical spring mass system to measure time and works correctly at the equator, then if it's taken to the poles, it may likely run slow. This is because the acceleration due to gravity is slightly higher at the poles compared to the equator. The period of the spring mass system, which dictates the ticking of the clock, is dependent on gravity.

A pendulum clock, for example, will run slow if the acceleration due to gravity increases because you would have to lengthen the pendulum to maintain the correct time, but for a spring mass system, it operates differently since it is based on the spring force and the mass. However, since gravity plays a role in the stretching and contracting of the spring, the clock might run slower at the poles compared to the equator.