Multiple choice general knowledge

The earth rotates on its axis and the exact time needed for one complete rotation is

  1. 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.09 seconds

  2. 23 hours, 58 minutes, 29.5 seconds

  3. 23 hours, 59 minutes, 7.5 seconds

  4. 23 hours, 59 minutes, 18 seconds
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's sidereal rotation period - the time for one complete rotation relative to distant stars - is 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09 seconds. This is slightly shorter than the 24-hour solar day because Earth is also orbiting the sun, so it needs to rotate a bit extra to face the sun again.

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