lesson
Different motions have different periods
1 · Learn
Earth travels around the Sun in an orbit, taking about one year. The Moon travels around Earth. The other planets in the solar system also orbit the Sun, at different distances and with different periods.
Orbiting means travelling around another body; rotating means turning on an axis. The words describe different motions, and a body can do both.
2 · Worked example
I distinguish Earth's yearly journey around the Sun from its daily turn. Calling both a spin would hide an important difference.
3 · Your turn
Which motion takes about a year for Earth: one rotation or one orbit around the Sun?
Check your answer
One orbit around the Sun. One rotation takes about a day.
4 · Apply your learning
Use a safe labelled model to show the two motions separately, then together. Keep the model's scale limitations clear.
Adult guidance and safety
No direct Sun viewing. Avoid running or swinging objects to model orbits; use tabletop diagrams or gentle adult-supervised movement.
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Check a calculation · Year 5 onward
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