LESSON4: EARTH'S MOTION

Rotation

Circular motion of an object around a fixed line that crosses its center.

Axis of Rotation

Imaginary line through which a planet spins around.

Earth’s Rotation

Earth rotates eastward from west to east in 24 hours due to its axial tilt of 23.5°.

Day and Night

Result of Earth's rotation, with one side facing the sun (day) and the other away from it (night).

Time Zones

Different time zones on Earth due to its rotation; 360° rotation in 24 hours leads to 15° movement per hour.

Prograde Rotation

Earth's counterclockwise rotation viewed from above.

Retrograde Rotation

Clockwise rotation of planets like Venus.

Zenith

Peak of the sun's path.

Meridian

Imaginary line connecting the poles.

Insolation

Solar radiation unevenly distributed on Earth due to its spherical shape; higher latitudes receive less insolation.

Revolution

Earth's motion around the Sun.

Orbit

Path on which a revolving object moves; Earth has an elliptical orbit.

Earth's Revolution

Earth orbits the Sun in approximately 365 days from west to east.

Perihelion

Point in Earth's orbit closest to the sun.

Aphelion

Point in Earth’s orbit farthest from the sun.

Seasons

Result from varying insolation received by different regions.