Earth’s Rotation
and Revolution
Exploring the changes caused
by Earth’s rotation, revolution
and tilt relative to the sun
LESSON AT
A GLANCE
Day and Night
A Year
Earth’s Tilt
The Seasons
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Day and Night
List at least three (3)
differences between
day and night.
Then, share your
answers with the
class.
Today, you’ll be able to...
Explain how Describe what Clarify how
Earth’s rotation happens across Earth’s tilt
creates day and a whole year at produces
night. one of the poles. seasons.
Day and Night
Earth spins on its
own axis once every
24 hours.
Therefore, it takes one
whole day and night to
make a rotation.
Day and Night
When the side of Earth
where you live faces
the sun, it is daytime.
When the part of Earth
Night-time Daytime
where you live is facing
away from the sun, it is
night-time.
A Year
While Earth spins on its own axis,
it also takes a trip around the sun.
It takes approximately 365.25 days
to complete its revolution, which is
This is the reason why
the basis of our calendar year. we add a leap day to
February every four
years (in most cases)
to account for the
additional 0.25 days
in each Earth’s
revolution.
Earth’s Tilt
Our planet is tilted
relative to the sun.
The North Pole faces
the sun for half a year,
while the South Pole
faces the sun for the
other half.
The Seasons Winter
(Northern
From approximately Hemisphere)
October to February,
Earth’s tilt means the
North Pole is pointing
away from the sun.
This means while the
Northern Hemisphere
experiences winter, the
Southern Hemisphere
Summer (Southern
enjoys summer! Hemisphere)
The Seasons
Autumn Summer
(March to (December to
May) February)
Locations north
of the equator have the
opposite seasons to areas
south of the equator.
Therefore, while Europe Winter Spring
and the United States (June to (September
August) to November)
experience winter, Brazil
and Australia will enjoy
the summer season. Seasons in the
Southern Hemisphere
EARTH'S TILT
Our planet's journey around the Sun and its tilt are responsible for the changing
seasons we experience throughout the year. Earth is tilted on an axis, an imaginary
EARTH'S TILT
line that runs through its center, causing different areas to receive varying amounts
& REVOLUTION
& REVOLUTION
of sunlight at different times.
In summer, the hemisphere facing the Sun gets more direct sunlight, resulting in
Explaining the Four Seasons higher Sun angles, stronger rays, and longer and warmer days. This marks the
summer solstice when the Sun is farthest from the celestial equator. Conversely, the
hemisphere tilted away from the Sun experiences winter, with lower Sun angles,
indirect sunlight, shorter days, and cooler temperatures.
During the equinoxes, neither hemisphere is tilted towards or away from the Sun. The
Sun is closest to the celestial equator at this time. Both hemispheres have equal
daylight and darkness during these periods. The equinoxes signal the beginning of
spring and autumn.
What causes the changing seasons on Earth?
The changing seasons are caused by Earth's tilt and its revolution around the Sun.
What happens during the summer season in the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun?
During the summer season in the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun, there are longer and
FIRST DAY OF TILT OF LENGTH
DATE warmer days due to more direct sunlight.
THE SEASON EARTH OF DAY
What is the significance of the summer solstice?
SUMMER tilted towards longest day of
June 21 The summer solstice marks the point at which the Sun is farthest from the celestial equator
SOLSTICE the sun the year
and the hemisphere tilted towards the Sun experiences the longest day of the year.
AUTUMNAL equal length of What happens during the equinoxes? What do they mark?
September 22 not tilted
EQUINOX day & night During the equinoxes, neither hemisphere is tilted towards or away from the Sun, resulting
in equal daylight and darkness. They mark the beginning of spring and autumn.
WINTER tilted away shortest day of
December 21 How does Earth's tilt affect the amount of sunlight different regions receive?
SOLSTICE from the sun the year
Earth's tilt affects the amount of sunlight different regions receive by causing them to be
VERNAL equal length of tilted towards or away from the Sun, which influences the intensity and duration of
March 21 not tilted
EQUINOX day & night sunlight.
Polar
bright Extremes
The extreme seasons
at the poles are due to
Earth’s tilt.
Despite Earth rotating
on its own axis during
dark the 24 hours, the light
levels at the poles do
not change.
Review
A DAY A YEAR THE SEASONS
Earth completes Earth revolves The Earth’s tilt causes
one full rotation on around the sun, varying Sun exposure
its own axis every which takes throughout the year,
24 hours, leading to approximately leading to longer days and
alternating daylight 365.25 days. shorter nights in summer
and darkness in This is the basis and the opposite in winter.
nearly all regions for one calendar At the poles, summers
of the globe. year. have 24 hours of light,
while winters feature 24
hours of darkness.
EARTH’S TILT
Many astronomers believe
that about 4.5 billion years
ago, a Mars-sized body
collided with Earth,
resulting in the tilt we
observe today.
Can you name other
planets in the solar system
with a distinct tilt?
