Revolution of the Earth

The revolution of the Earth around the Sun in an elliptical orbit is known as revolution.


Some facts about the revolution of the Earth

  • The Earth revolves at an average speed of 29.8 km per second.
  • The Earth revolves around the Sun in an elliptical path. The position of the Earth when it is closest to the Sun is known as perihelion. The position when the Earth is farthest from the Sun is known as aphelion.
  • The Earth does not revolve around the Sun at a uniform speed. The gravitational pull makes the Earth revolve faster when it is closest to the Sun than when it is away from the Sun.
  • The Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45.51 seconds to complete one revolution. To keep the equation simple, we take 365 days in a year. The remaining quarter of the day or six hours are added to one day or 24 hours over the span of four years to February. Thus, February has 29 days in a leap year which comes once in four years.

Effects of the Revolution of the Earth

  • Changes in Season: The revolution of the Earth results in changing the seasons. Seasons change because of the change in the position of the Earth around the Sun.
  • Creation of Heat Zones: Because of the spherical shape of the Earth, the Sun’s rays fall over it at different angles. This results in uneven distribution of the Sun’s heat. This results in the creation of different heat zones on the Earth’s surface. The three heat zones of the Earth are…..
    • Torrid Zone: This zone receives vertical rays of the Sun and thus experiences a warm climate throughout the year.
    • Temperate Zone: The places located in this zone receive vertical rays of the Sun, and thus, they experience moderate climate.
    • Frigid Zone: This zone experiences extreme slanting rays of the Sun and hence experiences an extremely cold climate.
  • Perihelion and Aphelion Positions: The orbit of the Earth is elliptical. Perihelion is the minimum distance between the Earth and the Sun. Aphelion is the maximum distance between the Earth and the Sun.

Circle of Illumination

The circle of illumination is an imaginary line that separates light from darkness and day from night.


Also, Read Motions of the earth -Rotation, and Revolution

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