Difference between local time and standard time

Difference Between Local time and Standard time

In general, The terms local time and standard time refer to the time of a specific location, there is a significant difference between them. Notably, the earth completes a full rotation of 360 degrees in twenty-four hours; thus, each time zone is fifteen degrees wide.

Time zones play a significant role in highlighting the difference between local and standard time. The difference between local time and standard time is as follows.

What is local time??

We see the sunrise every morning. It comes overhead at noon and seems to set in the evening and then we have night.

So, this is the path the sun seems to be moving in, but the sun is not moving across our sky at all. Then why does it seem so? It is the earth that rotates around itself. The earth turns from west to east. It is the motion that gives us day and night.

The local time is a time determined on the basis of the location of the sun and it changes continuously with change in longitudes.

What is standard time??

We know that it is confusing for everyone to follow local time so we have standard time for the whole region or country.

For suppose we have a conference call with people from different parts of the world. In such a case, everyone follows the local time of the 0-degree longitudes. That passes through a place called Greenwich.

The standard time is a time fixed for places falling in semi meridian, which is set in a country by law.

Difference Between Local time and Standard time:

Local time Standard time
Meaning
Local time is a time determined on the basis of the location of the sun. Standard time is a fixed time for places falling in semi meridian, set in a country by law.
Variations
It changes continuously with change in longitudes. Standard time remains the same for a particular country.
Difference in Longitudes
Local time places lying on the same longitude have the same local time. Standard time places lying on the same longitude have different standard times.
Time difference
There is no difficulty when local time is used in a small area. It is not possible for the whole country to have the same standard time.
Time zones
When people living in a larger area across different longitudes have to interact with each other, then using local time could lead to confusion. Time zones of the earth play a significant role. It is the local time of the standard meridian passing through the region
Reckoned
Local time is reckoned by the shadow cast by the sun. Standard time is reckoned by time zones.

Bottom line:

So, when we compare these are the major differences between the local time and standard time which plays a significant role in the functioning of the time. To avoid all the chaos and confusions standard time is introduced to make it uniform.

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