2006-09-20 05:37:26 · 11 answers · asked by ashley_battle2002 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
In astronomy, rotation is a commonly observed phenomenon. Stars, planets and similar bodies all spin around on their axes (the plural of axis). The rotation rate of planets in the solar system was first measured by tracking visual features.
This rotation induces a centrifugal acceleration which slightly counteracts the effect of gravity the closer one is to the equator. One effect is that an object weighs slightly less at the equator. Another is that the Earth is slightly deformed into a oblate spheroid.
Another consequence of the rotation of a planet is the phenomenon of precession. Like a gyroscope, the overall effect is a slight "wobble" in the movement of the axis of a planet. Currently the tilt of the Earth's axis to its orbital plane (obliquity of the ecliptic) is 66.5 degrees, but this angle changes slowly (over thousands of years). (See also Precession of the equinoxes and Pole star.)
2006-09-20 05:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by Smokey 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Since our solar system came from a collapsed cloud of gas and dust, the tiniest asymetry in the structure of the cloud would cause the entire system to rotate about its center. The rotation caused some of the matter to end up in orbit around the sun - no rotation and all of that matter would have fallen into the sun. Similarly, the condensing of the earth in an asymetric way caused the earth to rotate.
2006-09-20 05:39:25 · answer #2 · answered by minty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The earth rotates about its own axis due mainly to the gravitational pull from the sun and also due to the fact that the universe is expanding. Imagine a top being released to the ground spinning. Not only does it spins on its own axis but also going in circles at the same time. Thus, its just happens.
2006-09-20 05:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by rammskye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the North Pole is UP and the South Pole is DOWN, the Earth rotates from left to rigth. That is, if you are looking America from a satellite and you are seeing the north pole up you'll see how america goes to the rigth and the pacific ocean comes from the left, after a while you'll be seeing the pacific, then Japan, Asia, etc.
The move continues because the is almost no friction and it will take millions of years for it to stop.
2006-09-20 05:48:41 · answer #4 · answered by johannsinuhe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every few million years a celestial giant picks up the Earth and winds a string around it. The giant then rapidly pulls the string and that causes the Earth to rotate. Cool, huh?
2006-09-20 09:02:15 · answer #5 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Earth rotates in the direction opposite to the apparent motion of the Sun, i.e., from west to east.
2006-09-20 05:44:58 · answer #6 · answered by Deep Thought 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gravity makes the earth rotate.
it rotates from west to east.
you need more?
ok
rotation causes day and night.
it takes 23 hrs,56 min and 4.09 sec to complete on rotation.
more?
well....
it also causes the difference of time in different places and tides and the coriolis force and .... centrifugal force.
2006-09-20 05:44:35 · answer #7 · answered by anu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the earth rotates on it's axis.
2006-09-20 05:50:12 · answer #8 · answered by c0mplicated_s0ul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because gravity moves the world around and around and around.
2006-09-20 05:40:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
clock wise
2006-09-20 05:38:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋