Abhay noticed that when it was daytime in India, his uncle who was in the USA was generally sleeping as it was night-time there. What is the reason behind this difference?
The difference occurs because the Earth rotates on its axis, causing different parts of the Earth to face the Sun at different times.
When India faces the Sun, it experiences daytime. At the same time, the USA is on the opposite side or a different portion of the Earth that is not facing the Sun, so it experiences night-time.
The spherical shape of the Earth means that only half of it faces the Sun at any given moment, creating opposite day-night conditions in different geographical locations.
Explanation
The chapter explains: 'As shown in Fig. 12.5, the side facing the Sun experiences daytime, while the other side is dark and experiences night.' Due to Earth's rotation, different longitudes experience different times of day simultaneously. India and the USA are located at very different longitudes, so when it is daytime in India, it is night-time in the USA.
Solution Steps
The Earth rotates on its axis, causing different parts to face the Sun at different times
When India faces the Sun, it experiences daytime
At the same time, the USA is not facing the Sun, so it experiences night-time
Due to Earth's spherical shape, only half of it faces the Sun at any given moment
This creates opposite day-night conditions in different geographical locations