Week 10: Rotation vs Revolution. Interactive worksheet | TopWorksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the worksheet step by step and provide clear explanations for each part.

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Worksheet: Movements of the Earth

#### 1. What is a rotation of the Earth?
Answer:
Rotation is the spinning of the Earth on its own axis. The Earth rotates from west to east, which causes day and night cycles.

Explanation:
As the Earth spins, different parts of the planet face the Sun at different times. When a region faces the Sun, it experiences daytime; when it turns away, it experiences nighttime.

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#### 2. How long does it take for the Earth to complete one rotation?
Answer:
Approximately 24 hours (or one day).

Explanation:
One full rotation of the Earth takes about 24 hours. This period is known as a solar day and is the basis for our daily timekeeping.

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#### 3. What is a revolution of the Earth?
Answer:
Revolution is the movement of the Earth around the Sun in its orbit.

Explanation:
The Earth travels in an elliptical path around the Sun. This orbital motion is called revolution and is responsible for the changing seasons and the length of a year.

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#### 4. How long does it take for the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun?
Answer:
Approximately 365.25 days (or one year).

Explanation:
It takes the Earth about 365.25 days to complete one full orbit around the Sun. This is why we have a leap year every four years — to account for the extra 0.25 days.

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THINKING TIME

#### Question:
*The day and night cycle in Jupiter is only 10 hours long. What does this tell you about Jupiter's rotation about its own axis? Compare this to what you know about the Earth's rotation.*

Answer:
This tells us that Jupiter rotates very quickly on its own axis. A day on Jupiter (one full rotation) lasts only about 10 hours, which is much shorter than Earth’s 24-hour rotation. This means Jupiter spins faster than Earth.

Comparison:
- Earth: Takes 24 hours to rotate once.
- Jupiter: Takes about 10 hours to rotate once.

So, Jupiter has a much shorter day than Earth due to its rapid rotation. This fast spin also contributes to Jupiter’s strong magnetic field and its flattened shape (oblate spheroid).

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✔ Final Summary:

| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| Rotation of Earth | Spinning on its axis |
| Time for one rotation | 24 hours |
| Revolution of Earth | Orbiting around the Sun |
| Time for one revolution | 365.25 days |
| Jupiter's day-night cycle | 10 hours → very fast rotation |

This worksheet helps students understand the difference between rotation and revolution, and how these movements affect time and seasons on Earth and other planets like Jupiter.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable answer sheet!