1. Rotation - The Earth spins on its axis, completing one full rotation every 24 hours. This is what causes day and night.
2. Revolution - The Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one full revolution every 365.25 days. This is what causes the change in seasons.
3. Precession - The Earth's axis wobbles like a spinning top, completing one full cycle every 26,000 years. This changes the orientation of the North Star and affects the timing of the seasons.
4. Nutation - The Earth's axis nods slightly, completing one full cycle every 18.6 years. This affects the angle of the tilt of the Earth's axis.
5. Plate Tectonics - The Earth's lithosphere, or outer layer, is made up of several plates that move around due to convection currents in the mantle. This movement causes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges.
Answers & Comments
1. Rotation - The Earth spins on its axis, completing one full rotation every 24 hours. This is what causes day and night.
2. Revolution - The Earth orbits around the Sun, completing one full revolution every 365.25 days. This is what causes the change in seasons.
3. Precession - The Earth's axis wobbles like a spinning top, completing one full cycle every 26,000 years. This changes the orientation of the North Star and affects the timing of the seasons.
4. Nutation - The Earth's axis nods slightly, completing one full cycle every 18.6 years. This affects the angle of the tilt of the Earth's axis.
5. Plate Tectonics - The Earth's lithosphere, or outer layer, is made up of several plates that move around due to convection currents in the mantle. This movement causes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges.