The Earth rotates on its axis from west to east. This means that when we look at a map, the Sun appears to rise in the east and set in the west. The rotation of the Earth is what causes day and night. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the planet are exposed to the Sun's rays, creating the cycle of day and night. It takes the Earth approximately 24 hours to make one complete rotation on its axis. This rotation also causes the Coriolis effect, which affects global weather patterns and ocean currents.