just a couple of rotational questions...

[Caerwyld]

Gentlemen,
I have had an arguement with others on this and so came to those who would KNOW
I know the earth rotates on its axis.  since the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, turning clockwise in the sky, does that mean the earth rotates COUNTERclockwise?
my next question is does the earth rotate around the sun clockwise or counterclockwise???
Thank You,
Caerwyld

[Dingo1]

Depends on which pole you use as a reference.  Generally from the north pole viewpoint, it is counter-clockwise

[Astronuc]

As dingo mentioned, looking in the direction of north, i.e. in space looking at the south pole from space, the earth would appear to rotate clockwise, while looking southward, or down upon the north pole from space, the earth would appear to rotate counterclockwise.

Again, looking from the south (earth's south) toward the north, the earth travel clockwise around the sun, while looking from the north toward the south, the earth would appear to move counter clockwise around the sun.

In either case, earth rotates in the same direction of revolution about the sun.