What is the difference between rotation and revolution? Give an Earth's example for each.

What is the difference between rotation and revolution? Give an Earth's example for each.

• A. Rotation is orbiting around the Sun; revolution is spinning on an axis.
• B. Rotation is spinning on an axis (Earth’s 24-hour day); revolution is orbiting around the Sun (Earth’s year).
• C. Rotation and revolution are the same thing.
• D. Rotation is the orbit around the Sun, Revolution is turning on its axis.

Answer: (B)

Rotation means spinning on Earth’s own axis, and it takes about 24 hours to complete. This motion causes day and night as different parts of Earth face toward or away from the Sun. Revolution is Earth’s orbit around the Sun, taking about 365 days to complete, which defines a year and, together with the tilt of Earth’s axis, leads to the changing seasons. So the best description is that rotation is spinning on an axis, while revolution is orbiting around the Sun. The other statements mix up the two motions or treat them as the same, or reverse their roles.

Rotation means spinning on Earth’s own axis, and it takes about 24 hours to complete. This motion causes day and night as different parts of Earth face toward or away from the Sun. Revolution is Earth’s orbit around the Sun, taking about 365 days to complete, which defines a year and, together with the tilt of Earth’s axis, leads to the changing seasons. So the best description is that rotation is spinning on an axis, while revolution is orbiting around the Sun. The other statements mix up the two motions or treat them as the same, or reverse their roles.