AmyMath
← Astronomy – Grade 6
CLASS 6 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Rotation and revolution – basic principles

How it works

Rotation refers to the spin of a celestial body about its axis. Revolution is the movement of a celestial body along an orbit around another object, e.g. the Earth around the Sun. The Earth rotates once on its axis in about 24 hours; this creates day and night. For one orbit around the Sun, it needs about 365 days; this corresponds to a year. The seasons arise from the Earth's orbit around the Sun together with the tilt of the Earth's axis. Other planets and moons also show rotational and orbital motions, often with different periods.

Note
Rotation is the spin of a body about its axis; revolution is the movement of a body along an orbit around another object.

An example

What is the difference between rotation and revolution on the Earth?

The Earth's rotation is its spin about its own axis (causing day and night), while revolution is the movement of the Earth around the Sun (causing the year).

Try it yourself now

50 Exercises

To the learning unit →

Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Astronomy. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.