1
Unit 2
1.1. Rotation (Earth)
in our Solar System, each planet rotates (spins) on its own axis
the planet Earth is spinning, and one complete rotation takes about 24 hours. We
experience this as a day and
a night
during rotation the side of the Earth facing the Sun
experiences daytime, and the opposite side of the Earth
experiences night-time
1.2. Revolution (Earth)
all planets also revolve (travel) around the Sun in their own
orbits
planet Earth revolves around the Sun in its own orbit
(pathway), and one complete revolution takes 365 ¼ days.
We experience this as a year
1.3. Rotation (Moon)
the Moon is spinning and one complete rotation takes
about 28 days
1.4. Revolution (Moon)
the Moon revolves around the Earth and one revolution
also takes about a month (about 28 days)
together, the Earth and the Moon revolve around the Sun
KEY QUESTIONS KEY QUESTIONS
• If it is night time in South Africa, is • Does the Moon move
it also night time in Brazil? • Do the around the Earth? • Has
other planets also take a year to anyone ever seen the far
revolve once a round the Sun • side of the Moon?
Why do we get day and night? •
What is the difference betweenerence between
revolution and rotation?
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 2
1. Movements of the Earth, Planets and the Moon.
With the Sun at its center, the Sun’s Family moves around it like swirling dancers
following a carefully planned pattern. The inner planets swing around the Sun at a great
speed, with Mercury- the closest to the Sun- whizzing around to complete a circuit in
only 88 ‘Earth days.’ As the planets get further from the Sun, their speed decrease.
Neptune moves the slowest of the 8 major planets and takes 165 ‘Earth years’ to
complete one orbit around the Sun.
Each of the planets also rotates or spins on its own axis. For a long time people
believed that the 4arth stood still and the Sun moved around the 4arth. 8n this chapter
we will find out what really happens. We'll start by thinking about day and night.
Teacher notes:
Additional pictures and videos can be shown.
Short video showing theSun,4arthand Moon system goo.gl/cXeog
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 3
1.1. The rotation of the Earth.
In our Solar System, each planet rotates on its own axis. An axis is an imaginary line
through the center of something. Planet Earth’s axis goes thru the center of something.
Planet Earth’s goes thru the center of the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Each planet turns around and around on its own axis. We call this spinning movement
rotation.
Planet Earth spins on its own axis. It rotates from West to East. This is in an
anticlockwise direction when viewed from the North Pole.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
Unit 2
1.1. Rotation (Earth)
in our Solar System, each planet rotates (spins) on its own axis
the planet Earth is spinning, and one complete rotation takes about 24 hours. We
experience this as a day and
a night
during rotation the side of the Earth facing the Sun
experiences daytime, and the opposite side of the Earth
experiences night-time
1.2. Revolution (Earth)
all planets also revolve (travel) around the Sun in their own
orbits
planet Earth revolves around the Sun in its own orbit
(pathway), and one complete revolution takes 365 ¼ days.
We experience this as a year
1.3. Rotation (Moon)
the Moon is spinning and one complete rotation takes
about 28 days
1.4. Revolution (Moon)
the Moon revolves around the Earth and one revolution
also takes about a month (about 28 days)
together, the Earth and the Moon revolve around the Sun
KEY QUESTIONS KEY QUESTIONS
• If it is night time in South Africa, is • Does the Moon move
it also night time in Brazil? • Do the around the Earth? • Has
other planets also take a year to anyone ever seen the far
revolve once a round the Sun • side of the Moon?
Why do we get day and night? •
What is the difference betweenerence between
revolution and rotation?
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 2
1. Movements of the Earth, Planets and the Moon.
With the Sun at its center, the Sun’s Family moves around it like swirling dancers
following a carefully planned pattern. The inner planets swing around the Sun at a great
speed, with Mercury- the closest to the Sun- whizzing around to complete a circuit in
only 88 ‘Earth days.’ As the planets get further from the Sun, their speed decrease.
Neptune moves the slowest of the 8 major planets and takes 165 ‘Earth years’ to
complete one orbit around the Sun.
Each of the planets also rotates or spins on its own axis. For a long time people
believed that the 4arth stood still and the Sun moved around the 4arth. 8n this chapter
we will find out what really happens. We'll start by thinking about day and night.
Teacher notes:
Additional pictures and videos can be shown.
Short video showing theSun,4arthand Moon system goo.gl/cXeog
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
, 3
1.1. The rotation of the Earth.
In our Solar System, each planet rotates on its own axis. An axis is an imaginary line
through the center of something. Planet Earth’s axis goes thru the center of something.
Planet Earth’s goes thru the center of the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Each planet turns around and around on its own axis. We call this spinning movement
rotation.
Planet Earth spins on its own axis. It rotates from West to East. This is in an
anticlockwise direction when viewed from the North Pole.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
