Earth completes one spin over its axis in

Options

A. 24 hrs
B. 24 hrs and 3 min
C. 23 hrs 56 min and 4.1 sec
D. 23 hrs 59 min and 15.3 sec

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Earth's Rotation**: The Earth completes one full rotation on its axis, which is the basis for our day-night cycle.

2. **Time Taken for One Full Rotation**: While we commonly refer to a day as being 24 hours, the actual time it takes for the Earth to complete one rotation relative to distant stars (sidereal day) is approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds.

3. **Reason for the Difference**: The discrepancy between the 24-hour day and the 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds is due to the Earth's simultaneous revolution around the Sun. As the Earth rotates, it is also moving along its orbit, which requires a little extra time for the Sun to appear in the same position in the sky.

4. **Calculating the Difference**: This extra time adds up to about 4 minutes each day. Therefore, while the Earth rotates on its axis in 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds, we adjust our clocks to account for this by defining a day as 24 hours.

5. **Conclusion**: Thus, the correct answer to the question "Earth completes one spin over its axis in" is 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds.

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