Planet Earth
The Earth, moon, sun and their movements
Earth, Moon and Sun
The Earth is a planet that spins on its axis once every 24 hours, giving us day and night. It also moves around (orbits) the Sun once every 365 days, giving us a year. The Moon orbits the Earth and reflects the Sun's light.
Example
Day and Night
Stand in a dark room with a torch (the Sun). Spin slowly — when you face the torch, it is 'day' on your face. When you face away, it is 'night'. This is how Earth's rotation causes day and night.
Note
Remember
The Earth rotates (spins) = day and night. The Earth revolves (orbits the Sun) = seasons and years. The Moon revolves around Earth = moon phases (full moon, half moon, new moon).
Key Vocabulary
RotateTo spin around an axis
OrbitThe path one object takes around another in space
PlanetA large body that moves around a star
AxisAn imaginary line through the centre of Earth from pole to pole
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