Why do we have leap years?

Question

I understand that it takes 365.25 days to rotate the sun by why dont we just add a minute to each day so we never need to have an extra day in Feb?

Answer 1

I think you just answered it.  It's because it's 365.25 that you need to make it 366 every four years (.25 x 4).

Imagine the work behind adding an extra minute to a 360 circle based clock system.

Answer 2

What's the difference??? A 24:01 hour day for 365 days? Or one extra day, once every four years. Personally, I have enough to think about rather than keep track of that extra minute each day!

Answer 3

You can't just add a minute to each day because if you do, each day will last longer than the amount of time for earth to make a full rotation, so the numerical hours and the real time will start to get out of synch.  So for example 300 days after you add a minute to each day, the hours of day will be 300 minutes or 5 hours behind the actual day, your clock will no longer show 5am when the show rise but instead it will show 0am.  

The time of day is based on the earth's rotation speed and the length of year is based on the speed that earth travels around the sun.  You can't add apple and orange together.  So if you want to add something, you will have to had 0.25 day to the end of every year. However you can't do that too.

If you do that then every single day in the 2nd year would start at 6 am instead of 0:00.  Every day will start at noon on the 3rd year and 6pm on the 4th years then repeat.  

Answer 4

actually, it's 365.24. if we add a minute to each day, it wouldn't be exact enough. that's why every century there is no leapyear. however, on every millenium there is a leap year to compensate.

Answer 5

Because it was made the romans when they created the clander and it would confuse people to add a minute when ever needed eg:plane taking off

Answer 6

because there would be over 24 hrs in a day. it would mess with the fabric of society. if it aint broke why fix it.

Answer 7

Because that would be annoying and we'd have to change all clocks all over the world.  It's easier to just add that extra day.