Despite the fact that the Earth rotates on its axis and orbits around the Sun, we do not feel this movement. This phenomenon occurs because everything around us—including the air, oceans, and the ground—is moving at the same constant speed as the Earth itself.
The Earth completes a rotation every 24 hours, resulting in a surface speed of approximately 1,600 kilometers per hour at the equator. Additionally, it travels around the Sun at a velocity of about 107,000 kilometers per hour. However, since this motion is smooth and unchanging, there are no variations in speed or direction for our bodies to detect.
Our inner ears are designed to sense motion primarily during moments of acceleration, such as when a vehicle starts, stops, or turns. For example, when traveling at a steady pace on a smooth road, we typically do not perceive the motion unless we look outside. The same principle applies to the Earth”s movement; because we move in unison with the planet and its atmosphere, we remain unaware of its rotation and orbit.
Moreover, the vast distances to stars and the Sun give the impression that they are stationary from our viewpoint. It is through scientific methods, such as observing the rising and setting of stars or measuring time intervals, that we confirm the Earth”s continuous motion.
