In which direction does the Earth rotate on its axis?

In which direction does the Earth rotate on its axis?

• A. East to West
• B. North to South
• C. West to East
• D. South to North

Answer: (C)

Earth spins from west to east on its axis. When viewed from above the North Pole, the rotation is counterclockwise, which means the surface moves toward the east. This eastward spin causes the Sun to rise in the east and set in the west. The opposite directions describe the wrong sense of spinning (east to west) or describe movement along lines of latitude rather than the planet’s spin.

Earth spins from west to east on its axis. When viewed from above the North Pole, the rotation is counterclockwise, which means the surface moves toward the east. This eastward spin causes the Sun to rise in the east and set in the west. The opposite directions describe the wrong sense of spinning (east to west) or describe movement along lines of latitude rather than the planet’s spin.