What is a day?

"The Earth rotates on its axis and this is what creates day and night. How does it work? Click on the picture of the world for a short video.

One complete rotation of the Earth happens every 24 hours and so that is why a day lasts for 24 hours. This is why the Sun appears to move across the sky during the day. It isn't the Sun that moves, its us! The clip below explains this clearly.

We can use the length of a shadow to work out what time of day it is. Longer shadows are made early in the morning or late in the afternoon. At midday, a shadow is at its shortest. Long ago people used a special type of clock called a sundial to help them tell the time. 

Homework: Please complete the second page of your planet booklet by finding out some interesting facts about your planet and writing about them. Below is the booklet.