It's Time for a Revolution! (Around the Sun)

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Place something in the middle of your room. Walk around this item slowly, making as big a circle as possible.

When this becomes easy, start spinning as you walk in large circles. Be careful, don't bump into anything!

Okay, sit down. You're making me dizzy!

• Why did you do that?

To begin a discussion on revolution.

No, not that kind of revolution. This kind.

You may have correctly guessed that you were spinning and circling to model the earth's movements.

There are two different ways that the earth is always moving — rotating and revolving. (For more information about rotation, check out the lesson found under Additional Resources in the right-hand sidebar.)

In astronomy, revolution means to move continuously around a central object. Rotation means to spin on a central axis. Be careful — outside of astronomy, these words may be used interchangeably.

You may have previously learned about rotation and revolution, but you probably didn't get the full story. Answer these quiz questions to identify any misconceptions you might have about the revolution of the earth.

• Did you learn anything new?
• Still have questions?

Watch the video below to review what you've learned about revolution as well as rotation.

Now, move to the Got It? section to test your knowledge and learn even more!