Question

On the surface of the moon, a clock will ___________.

• A. run slow
• B. run fast
• C. remain stationary
• D. nothing can be decided

Answer 1

The correct option is A run slow

The correct answer is option(A).

We know formula for calculating time period of a pendulum clock is

$T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$

Now weight on moon = $\frac{1}{6}$ weight on earth

$\therefore g$ on moon = $\frac{1}{6}g$ on earth

or, $\frac{T_{earth}}{T_{moon}}=\sqrt{\frac{g_{moon}}{g_{earth}}}since,\frac{g_{moon}}{g_{earth}}<1=\frac{1}{6}\therefore T_{moon}=T_{earth}\times \sqrt{6}$

This implies time period on moon will increase when measured relative to time perios of the same clock on earth

Hence, clock will run slow on the surface of moon.