Most people are aware that the Earth revolves around the Sun every 24 hours. However it is not widely known that the speed of rotation varies slightly. A day may appear longer or shorter than you would expect. That is why the Atomic clocks that regulate standard time must be periodically adjusted by adding or subtracting a second. This change is known as a leap second. This article will describe how this change takes place, and how it’s important to our daily schedules.
One standard rotating event is precession, the circular wobble of Earth’s axis of motion, similar to as a spinny, slightly off-center toy top. The change in axial direction relative to fixed stars (inertial spaces) has a duration of 25,771.5. It’s also responsible for switching the directions of cyclones across the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Other rotating events include free nutation as well as the Chandler wobble, and the polar movement.
In addition to these periodic occasions, the rotator’s speed can be affected by weather conditions and other factors such as earthquakes. For instance, if the core of the Earth rotates faster than its outer layer, days will feel shorter. This change is due to the tidal force that acts on the Earth’s surfaces as well as gravitational pulls of other large objects within the Solar System such as Jupiter and Saturn. This effect is why the Earth’s rotating speed has to be considered when designing fun park rides like Ferris wheels or carousels.
https://northcentralrotary.org/2019/11/16/rotating-events-in-our-time/