Earth Rotation

We explain what the rotation of the Earth is and what its consequences are. The speed it reaches and the translation of the Earth.

Earth rotation
The Earth's rotation movement takes 24 hours to make the complete rotation.

What is the rotation of the Earth?

The rotation of the Earth is the movement made by the planet when rotating on its own axis that is, about himself. This axis consists of an imaginary line that crosses the geographic poles and has an inclination of 24° with respect to the Earth's orbit.

Earth's rotation movement It takes 24 hours to make the complete turn, at a speed of 1,700 kilometers per hour if measured at the equator. We do not feel the movement because it is carried out constantly and because we move at the same speed as the Earth, that is, we are part of the same terrestrial movement system. If the speed of movement were not constant, we would feel it due to inertia.

See also: Earth axis

Consequences of rotation movement

Earth rotation
The constant rotational motion is responsible for flattening the Earth's axis.

The rotation movement of the Earth generates consequences at a geographical, climatic, terrestrial and physical level. The main ones are:

  • The succession of day and night The Sun illuminates only one half of the planet, which determines that it is daytime, while the opposite side remains in darkness, generating night. As the planet rotates on its own axis, the side that was dark begins to receive light and the other half becomes dark.
  • Time differences The time zone system consists of a division of the day into hours for the entire planet, and has as its starting or reference point the zero meridian or Greenwich meridian. That's why it dawns and sets in the Eastern Hemisphere before it does in the Western Hemisphere.
  • The temperature variation. The succession of day and night means that, during the day, the illuminated side of the planet receives a greater amount of solar radiation. That energy accumulates and generates an increase in temperature. During the night, that face does not receive solar radiation and the temperature decreases.
  • The shape of the Earth If the Earth were still, you could see its sphere shape, that is, round. As the rotation movement is constant, a centrifugal force is generated responsible for flattening the area of ​​the poles or the axis of the Earth and widening the area of ​​the equator. Because of the rotation movement, the planet is shaped like an ellipse or geoid.
  • The cardinal points As the planet rotates from west to east and the Sun is at a fixed point, from Earth it can be seen rising in the east at dawn and setting in the west at dusk. This information is useful for locating the cardinal points if you do not have a compass.
  • The Earth's magnetic field. The rotation movement generates a magnetic field or energy that protects the Earth from solar radiation through the atmosphere (layer composed of gases that surrounds the Earth). Although the planet and living beings need the light and heat of the Sun, some of its rays are harmful. This magnetic field causes a current of particles in the atmosphere that blocks them and does not allow them to reach the Earth's surface.
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Earth's rotation speed

The speed of the Earth's rotation varies depending on the area of ​​the planet where it is calculated. From the equator, that is, the imaginary line that marks the maximum circumference of the Earth, the distance is 1,700 km per hour.

As you move away from the equator towards the poles, the speed is slower. For example, at the point located at 45° north latitude, the rotation speed is 1,000 km per hour. Above the poles, where the imaginary axis passes, the speed is zero or 0 km per hour.

Earth's translation

Earth rotation
Our planet takes 365 days and 6 hours to complete this translation journey.

Translational movement occurs between two celestial bodies when the first rotates in its orbit around the second. In the case of the Earth it consists of go around the sun. Our planet takes 365 days and 6 hours to complete this translation journey.

When the Earth's translational movement interacts with the rotational movement, phenomena such as the succession of the seasons of the year, and the length of day and night are produced.

Continue in: Earth's translation

References

  • «Earth Movements» in Online Meteorology.
  • «Rotation and Translation Movement» in Differentiator.
  • “Earth” on Wikipedia.
  • “Magnetism” in Wikipedia.
  • «Rotation and Translation Movements» in ICarito.
  • “Earth's Magnetic Field” in Hyperphysics.