Rotation of the Earth
Rotation is the spinning of the Earth on its own axis. The Earth spins from west to east and takes about 24 hours to complete one full turn. Because the Earth turns from west to east, the Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west.
Key idea
Rotation (24 hours) causes day and night. Revolution (about 365¼ days) causes the seasons.
Revolution of the Earth
Revolution is the movement of the Earth around the Sun along an orbit. One complete revolution takes about 365¼ days (one year). The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5°, and this tilt together with revolution causes the four seasons in the temperate regions.
Example
The extra ¼ day each year is collected over four years into one extra day, which is 29 February in a leap year (366 days).
Remember
Rotation = axis = day & night. Revolution = orbit of the Sun = seasons. Malaysia, being near the equator, has almost no seasonal difference.
Effects on life
Rotation also causes the difference in time between places at different longitudes, which is why there are time zones around the world. Day and night set the times when people work, rest and sleep. Revolution, in turn, sets the yearly calendar and the planting and harvesting seasons in temperate countries. Both of these movements are important for understanding weather, time and life on Earth.