Final answer:
The Earth makes a complete rotation on its axis in approximately 24 hours, which defines a solar day. The actual time it takes for Earth to rotate once is called a sidereal day, which is about 4 minutes shorter than a solar day. Time zones are aligned with Earth's 15-degree hourly rotation to match local times with daylight hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period of time it takes for the Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis is approximately 24 hours. This duration is known as a solar day. It is during this period that the Earth rotates on its axis, alternately exposing one side to the sun. Each hour, the Earth rotates by 15 degrees, making a full 360-degree rotation in 24 hours.
However, it is important to note that the precise time for one rotation, often referred to as a sidereal day, is slightly less than 24 hours, being approximately 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds. This difference arises because Earth is not only rotating on its axis but also orbiting the sun, requiring slightly more than a full rotation to bring the same meridian back in line with the sun for what we consider 'noon'.
Moreover, the Earth's rotation affects our time zones, which are established roughly every 15 degrees of longitude. This system allows local times to line up with similar hours of the day and night across different regions, ensuring the sun is generally overhead at noon in each time zone.