Most objects in our Solar System rotate and revolve.
RotationEarth (Day)
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*WARNING*
it's very easy to mix these two terms up!
Revolution/Orbit
Many objects in the Solar System revolve or travel completely around other objects including the Earth and Moon. This motion is also referred to as orbit.
Earth (Year)
The term orbit can sometimes also refer to the elliptical shape many objects take during their revolution around another object. Most objects in space do not revolve or orbit in a perfect circle they follow an oval shaped path. All planets move in elliptical orbits around the Sun. |
What is a Leap Year?!
Even though the standard calendar year is 365 days, Earth actually takes 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 46 seconds to revolve completely around the Sun. In order to keep the human calendar cycle synchronized with the seasons, one extra day is (usually) added every four years as February 29.
Rotation vs. Revolution
Video Guide:
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Topic Tips
- Rotation refers to an object turning on its axis. Earth takes approximately 24 hours to rotate causing day and night.
- Revolution refers to one object traveling completely around another. This is also referred to as an object's orbit. Earth takes approximately 365.24 days to orbit the Sun. The Moon takes approximately 1 month to revolve around the Earth.