Earth's Movements: Rotation, Revolution, and Seasonal Dynamics, and Seasonal Impacts, and Seasonal Variations (copy)

Rotation

The spinning of the Earth on its imaginary Polar Axis.

Sidereal Day

The time required for the Earth to turn through $360^{\text{o}}$, approximately $23 \text{hr}, 56 \text{min}, 4.09 \text{sec}$.

Coriolis Effect

A force resulting from the Earth's rotation that deflects moving bodies; towards the right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Revolution

The movement of the Earth along its elliptical orbit around the Sun, completing one revolution in approximately $365 \frac{1}{4} \text{days}$.

Mean Distance from the Sun

Approximately $150 \text{million km}$.

Perihelion

The point in Earth's orbit closest to the Sun, occurring around January 3rd at a distance of approximately $147 \text{million km}$.

Aphelion

The point in Earth's orbit farthest from the Sun, occurring around July 4th at a distance of approximately $152 \text{million km}$.

Angle of Inclination

The Earth's axis makes an angle of $66 \frac{1}{2}^\text{o}$ with the plane of the ecliptic.

Summer Solstice

Occurs on June 21; North Pole is inclined toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

Winter Solstice

Occurs on December 22; South Pole is inclined toward the Sun, resulting in the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

Equinox

Occurs on March 21 and September 23; the Sun is directly overhead at the Equator, resulting in equal day and night.

Circle of Illumination

An imaginary line that divides the Earth into a sunlit half and a shadowed half.

Centrifugal Force

The outward force experienced by Earth due to its rotation, causing a bulge at the Equator.

Variations in Temperature

Caused by the accumulation of heat during the day and the release of heat at night, preventing extreme temperature changes.

Leap Year

A year added with an extra day on February 29th every 4 years to account for the extra $\frac{1}{4}$ day per year in the calendar.

Day Length Variation

The duration of day and night due to the inclination of the axis and Earth's position in orbit, influencing seasons.