The direction of Earth's rotation about its axis is the same as the direction of its revolution about the Sun. How does a solar day compare to a sidereal day on Earth?
A) A solar day is always longer.
B) A sidereal day is always longer.
C) A solar day and a sidereal day are always the same length.
D) A sidereal day is longer when Earth is farther from the Sun (northern summer), but a solar day is longer when Earth is closer to the Sun (northern winter).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A solar day is longer than a sidereal day because Earth must rotate a little more than 360 degrees on its axis for the sun to return to the same position in the sky due to its orbit around the Sun.

The Direction of Earth's Rotation About Its Axis Is the Same