Motions of the Earth – Short Notes
The Earth is not stationary. It continuously moves in space. The movement of the Earth is called the Motion of Earth. There are two main motions of the Earth: Rotation and Revolution.
1. Rotation
Rotation is the spinning of the Earth on its axis.
Important points:
- The Earth rotates from west to east.
- It takes about 24 hours to complete one rotation.
- Rotation causes day and night.
- The side facing the Sun experiences day, while the side away from the Sun experiences night.
2. Revolution
Revolution is the movement of the Earth around the Sun in a fixed path called an orbit.
Important points:
- The Earth takes about 365¼ days to complete one revolution.
- This movement causes seasons (summer, winter, spring, autumn).
- The Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical (oval-shaped).
Earth’s Axis
- The Earth rotates on an imaginary line called the axis.
- The axis is tilted at 23½°.
- This tilt is responsible for different seasons in different parts of the world.
Leap Year
- A year has 365 days, but the Earth actually takes 365¼ days to go around the Sun.
- The extra ¼ day each year becomes one extra day after four years.
- This extra day is added to February, making February 29.
- Such a year is called a Leap Year.
In Simple Words
- Rotation → causes Day and Night
- Revolution → causes Seasons
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