Why is the Earth unique? The Earth is our home planet. It is the third planet from the Sun. It is the fifth-largest planet in the Solar System. It is a sphere, but it is slightly flattened at the poles. It has a solid surface with mountains, valleys, plains, etc. It is the only planet with large amounts of liquid water. It is the only planet known to support life. Movements of the Earth The Earth moves in two different ways. It spins on its axis and it travels around the Sun. word bank revolution rotation Revolution The Earth orbits or revolves around the Sun. The Earth takes one year (about 365 days) to complete one orbit around the Sun. Seasons occur becuse the Earth's axis is tilted and it always points in the same direction. – In winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. – In summer, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. Rotation The Earth spins or rotates on its own axis. The Earth takes one day (about 24 hours) to complete one spin. Day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation. – It is daytime on the side of the Earth that faces the Sun. – It is night-time on the side that faces away from the Sun. summe r w i n t e r summe r w i n t e r sp r i ng au t umn sp r i ng au t umn 23 r d Sep t embe r 2 1 s t J une 2 1 s t Decembe r 2 1 s t Ma r ch Sou t h Po l e Earth's axis SUN ' S RAYS DAY N I GHT direction of rotation No r t h Po l e The Earth's rotation The Earth's revolution 92 · n i n e t y - t w o TH I N K AB 0 U T IT! Why does the Sun rise in the east and set in the west?
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