Most people are aware that the Earth revolves around the sun every 24 hours, but few know that the planet’s rotational speed fluctuates. This means that a day may sometimes feel shorter or longer than what we would expect. The atomic clocks, which maintain standard time, need to be adjusted periodically by adding or subtracting one second. This change is called the leap second. This article will explain how this change happens, and why it matters to our daily routines.
One typical rotating event is precession. It is the circular wobble of Earth’s axis, much as a spinny, slightly off-center toy top. This change in axial direction relative to fixed stars (inertial space) has a time lapse of 25,771.5 years. This is also the reason for the direction of cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere and in the Southern Hemisphere. Other rotating events include free nutation as well as the Chandler wobble and polar movement.
In addition to these periodic events, the speed of a rotator can be affected by weather conditions and other elements like earthquakes. For instance, if the core of the Earth rotates faster than the outer layer, the day will appear to be shorter. This change creating a barrier free space for people with disabilities is due to the tidal force that is acting on the Earth’s surface and gravitational pulls from other large objects within the Solar System such as Jupiter and Saturn. This is the reason the Earth’s rotational speed must be considered when creating fun park rides like Ferris wheels and carousels.
