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Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Local Time and Standard Time

local time vs standard timeLocal time implies the time of a particular country, as regards the meridian running through it. On the contrary, standard time is referred as the official local time of a region ascertained by the distance from the Prime Meridian of the meridian running through the area. Here we’ll break down the significant differences between local time and standard time.

Earth rotates on its axis, leading to sun rise and sun set in different parts of the world. The part of the earth which receives sunlight, experience day whereas the part in the darkness experience night. In other words, different parts of the earth receive daylight at different times.

Due to this, the earth is divided into sections called as time zones. The earth completes one rotation of 360 degrees in 24 hours, i.e. it moves about 15 degrees in every hour. Therefore, the earth is parted into 24 time zones and each time zone is 15 degrees longitude wide, i.e. each time zone is one hour apart from the other. These time zones play a significant role in determining the standard time and local time of a place.

Content: Local Time Vs Standard Time

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonLocal TimeStandard Time
MeaningLocal time implies the time of a place determined on the basis of apparent movement of the sun.Standard time refers to the fixed time for places falling in the same meridian, set in a country by law.
VariationsChanges continuously with the change in longitude.Remains same for a particular country.
LongitudePlaces on the same longitude have same local time.Places on the same longitude have different standard time.
Reckoned byShadow cast by the sun.Time zones

Definition of Local Time

Local time, as the name suggest is the time in a specific region, which is expressed in relation to the line of longitude passing through it. It is the time, reckoned on the basis of the meridian running through a particular place.

Local time is determined by the sun’s position in the sky, i.e. the shadow cast by the sun, which is shortest in the middle of the day, i.e. noon and longest at the sunrise and sunset. When the sun is exactly over the head, it is noon at that place. Noon occurs at different times in different meridians. Hence local time varies from region to region.

Definition of Standard Time

Standard time is used to mean the reference time for a particular area. It is the local time of the standard meridian passing through the region or country.

Standard time is the official time, set up for the country by law, which is actually the time of the specific meridian running through the region. It is reckoned by the distance, east or west from the Prime Meridian at Greenwich of the line of longitude lying within the region.

Key Differences Between Local Time and Standard Time

The points given below are substantial, so far as the difference between local time and standard time is concerned:

  1. The time of a particular place that is measured on the basis of sun’s transit over the meridian at that place is called local time. On the contrary, standard time is the time in any of the time zones, into which the earth is divided.
  2. As midday occurs at different times at different meridians, so the local time is different in different meridians. As against this, standard time is same for a particular country, as it is established by the country as per law or custom.
  3. The places that fall on the same line of longitude have same local time. However, their standard time may be different.
  4. Local time is computed with reference to the shadow cast by the sun. Conversely, the standard time is determined on the basis of time zones.

Conclusion

The most accurate way to measure time is by the movement of the planet, which causes day and night. While standard time is nothing but the regular local time of the particular region. On the other hand, the local time is the time of a specific area, when the midday sun is just above the head.

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Comments

  1. Samriddhi Mitra says

    June 11, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    Excellent! !!!!
    This answers have helped me very much

    Reply
    • Yogita says

      September 21, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      This answer helped me in exam
      Excellent!!!!!!!

      Reply
  2. Prashant Patel says

    July 17, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    Excellent answer

    Reply
  3. LINSLOT SUMO says

    October 10, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    THANKS

    Reply
  4. PKP says

    March 26, 2019 at 5:23 pm

    Good xplanation on topic

    Reply
  5. MILAN says

    May 27, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    It was a brilliant answer sis

    Reply
  6. Tbaby says

    November 22, 2019 at 2:58 am

    It helped me a lot. Thanks.

    Reply
  7. Urooba anees says

    January 3, 2021 at 6:41 am

    It is very helpfull
    Thanks a lot🤗

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  8. INDRAJEET KUMAR says

    February 2, 2021 at 12:10 am

    Nicely explained.

    Reply
  9. prashamsa rijal says

    March 15, 2021 at 6:13 pm

    Excellent answer
    Thank you

    Reply
  10. Abdulrahman yakson says

    November 24, 2021 at 8:01 am

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    Reply

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