Motions of the Earth

Earth, our home planet, is a world unlike other. It is the third planet from the Sun. Rotation and Revolution are two motion of the Earth.

Rotation–

• Rotation is the movement of the earth on its axis from west to east.
• It takes 1 day or 24 hour to rotates in its axis.
• The earth rotates about an imaginary line tat passes through the north and south poles of the planet.
• Because of the rotation the day and night occur.

Various Effects of Rotation on the Earth-

• Day and night are caused by the rotation of the earth.
• Duration of the day and night is not equal at all places on the earth.
• Earth’s rotation affects the movements of water in oceans.

Revolution–

• Movement of the earth around the Sun in a fixed path or orbit is called Revolution.
• Earth takes 365 days to revolve around the Sun.
• It is going around the Sun in an elliptical orbit.
• Season change due to the change in the position of the earth around the sun.
• The year is divided into 4 seasons summer, winter, spring and autumn

Various Effects of Revolution-

• Revolution causes different seasons.
• Variation in the length of days and nights.

Because of the Revolution, 3 phenomena occurs, which are mentioned below-

• Summer Solstice
• Winter Solstic
• Equinox

Summer Solstice– The solstice at midsummer, at the time of the longest day, about 21 June in the northern hemisphere and 22 December in the southern hemisphere.

Winter Solstice– The solstice at midwinter, at the time of the shortest day, about 22 December in the northern hemisphere and 21 June in the southern hemisphere.

Equinox– The equinox happen in 21 March and 23 September. These are the days when the Sun is exactly above the Equator, which makes day and night of equal length.