• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Science Facts
  • Science Questions
  • About
    • Emma Vanstone
    • About Science Sparks
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
    • STEM Challenges
    • FREE STEM Challenge Templates
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
  • FREE Science Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
  • Science Resources for Home and School

×
Home » Science Questions » What are Time Zones?

What are Time Zones?

Modified: Mar 27, 2025 · Published: Dec 31, 2024 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

The Earth rotates once on its axis every 24 hours. As it rotates, the sun shines on different parts of it. When the sun shines on one side of the Earth, it’s daytime and nighttime on the opposite side.

What are time zones?

The Earth is divided into 24 time zones. Everyone in each zone sets their clocks to the same time, and some countries have multiple time zones. Time zones were created to standardise time in a specific region.

Sun, moon and Earth Image

How many time zones are there?

The Earth has 24 time zones.

What is the time difference between time zones?

Each time zone differs by one hour.

Why do we have time zones?

Time zones help us coordinate time around the world. Without time zones 5 pm in one part of the world would be a very different part of the day to 5 pm somewhere else, so things would become very confusing.

What are lines of longitude?

The Earth is a sphere shape. Lines of longitude ( or meridians ) are imaginary lines of equal length drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole.

The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England, and has a longitude of 0 degrees. The antimeridian on the opposite side of the Earth has a longitude of 180 degrees.

What is Greenwich Mean Time?

Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT ) is the point of reference for global time zones. In 1972, GMT was replaced by Coordinated Universal Time ( UTC ) for global timekeeping.

UTC is more accurate than GMT as it corrects for the fact that the duration of the day isn’t constant through the year due to the rotation of the Earth on its axis. UTC uses measurements of the Earth’s rotation and readings from atomic clocks around the world.

What happens if a country spans multiple time zones?

Large countries like the United States, Russia and Canada have multiple time zones. The USA and Canada have 6 time zones, and Russia has 11.

Where is the first place to celebrate New Year?

Kiribati, in the Pacific Ocean, is the first place to welcome the New Year.

Where is the last place to celebrate New Year?

The islands of Niue and American Samoa are the last inhabited places to celebrate New Year.

Last Updated on March 27, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

More Science Questions

  • Why Do Crisp Packets Puff Up at High Altitude? The Science Explained
  • How hot is the Sun?
  • The Science Behind 10 Everyday Phenomena
  • Einstein rings
    What are Einstein Rings?

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Imagine a world where science education is accessible to everyone and is all about hands-on, exciting discoveries. That’s the world I want to create.

More about me

Around the World in 50 Experiments

50 experiments about countries of the world

Footer

↑ back to top

Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd