Why do pendulum clocks become slow in summer?
Pendulum clocks become slow in summer because the length of the pendulum increases due to thermal expansion, causing the time taken for one oscillation to increase. This change in length affects the clock’s timing mechanism, resulting in slower timekeeping during warmer temperatures.
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Pendulum clocks become slow in summer because the length of the pendulum increases due to thermal expansion, which is; option [C]. As the temperature rises, the pendulum rod expands, causing the effective length of the pendulum to increase. This longer length results in a longer period for each oscillation, leading to slower timekeeping compared to cooler temperatures. The effect of thermal expansion on the pendulum’s length alters the clock’s timing mechanism, causing it to lose time during warmer weather conditions. This phenomenon is a well-known factor affecting the accuracy of mechanical clocks and is accounted for in their design and calibration. Therefore, option C accurately identifies the reason for the slowdown of pendulum clocks during summer, emphasizing the influence of temperature-induced changes in the length of the pendulum on timekeeping precision.