What happens to the missing time?

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In summary, the Earth's rotational period is slightly shorter than our 24-hour day, resulting in a difference of 4 minutes. This is due to the Earth's rotation and revolution around the Sun, which requires a slightly longer rotation for the Sun to appear in the same position in the sky. This difference is accounted for with leap days and leap seconds.
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amalmirando
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What happens to the missing time??

It has been observed that the Earth's rotational period to be roughly 23 hours and 56 minutes.But the clocks we use indicate 24 hours. So there should be a difference of 4 minutes for each day. Could somebody please explain what happens to this additional 4 minutes?
 
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Since the Earth is also revolving around the Sun (in addition to rotating), it needs to turn slightly more than one full rotation in order for the Sun to be in the same apparent position in the sky from day to day. This difference is approximately four minutes.

(And of course, we account for the "approximate" nature with leap days, leap seconds, etc...)

The animation here is a bit slow, but helps visualize:
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/time/timekeeping.html
 
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FAQ: What happens to the missing time?

What is "missing time"?

"Missing time" refers to periods of time that cannot be accounted for in a person's memory or in the records of a particular event or phenomenon. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including memory lapses, unconsciousness, or gaps in data collection.

What causes missing time?

The causes of missing time can vary depending on the context. In some cases, it may be due to a medical condition such as amnesia or a blackout. In other cases, it may be a result of psychological factors, such as dissociation or trauma. It can also occur due to technological or human error in recording and documenting events.

How common is missing time?

It is difficult to determine the exact prevalence of missing time as it can occur in a wide range of situations and for various reasons. However, it is a relatively common phenomenon and has been reported in various contexts, including car accidents, alien abduction experiences, and psychological trauma.

Can missing time be explained by science?

As with any phenomenon, missing time can be studied and explained through scientific methods. It is often an area of interest for neuroscientists, psychologists, and other researchers who seek to understand the underlying mechanisms and causes of these experiences. However, not all cases of missing time can be easily explained by current scientific knowledge.

Is there a way to recover missing time?

In some cases, individuals may be able to recover memories of missing time through therapy or other memory-enhancing techniques. However, this is not always possible, and in some cases, the missing time may never be fully recovered. Further research and advancements in technology may also provide new methods for recovering lost memories in the future.

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