How do the speeds at which we are moving with Earth's rotation and orbit compare to the speeds of more familiar objects?
A) Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis faster than a commercial jet travels, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun faster than the Space Shuttle orbits Earth.
B) Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed of a commercial jet, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at about the speed of a military jet.
C) Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed of a car on the freeway, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at about the speed of a commercial jet.
D) Earth's rotation carries most people around the axis at about the speed at which the Space Shuttle orbits Earth, and Earth's orbit carries us around the Sun at nearly the speed of light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Earth's rotation carries us around the axis at a speed of about 1670 km/h (1037 mph), which is faster than the average commercial jet which travels at 900 km/h (560 mph). Earth's orbit around the Sun has an average speed of about 107,000 km/h (67,000 mph), which is faster than the speed of the Space Shuttle in orbit around Earth, which is about 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph).

How Do the Speeds at Which We Are Moving with Earth's