How The Earth Moves

key notes :

Two Types of Earth’s Movements

  • Rotation: The Earth spins on its axis.
  • Revolution: The Earth orbits around the Sun.

Rotation

  • Takes 24 hours to complete one full spin.
  • Causes day and night.
  • The axis is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole.

Revolution

  • Takes about 365.25 days to complete one orbit.
  • Causes seasons due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis.
  • The Earth’s orbit is elliptical (oval-shaped).

Tilt of the Earth’s Axis

  • The axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees.
  • Different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight, creating seasons.

The Sun’s Role

  • The Sun is the center of the solar system and provides light and heat.
  • The Earth moves in an orbit due to the Sun’s gravitational pull.

Day and Night Cycle

  • The side of the Earth facing the Sun experiences day.
  • The opposite side experiences night.

Seasonal Changes

  • The tilt and revolution cause summer, winter, spring, and autumn.
  • When one hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it experiences summer, while the opposite experiences winter.

Speed of Movement

  • The Earth rotates at about 1,670 kilometers per hour (at the equator).
  • It revolves around the Sun at approximately 107,000 kilometers per hour.

Important Observations

  • Sunrise and sunset are due to Earth’s rotation.
  • Stars and constellations appear to move across the sky because of Earth’s rotation and revolution.

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