What is the main explanation for why less insolation reaches the surface near the poles than near the equator?

It receives less solar radiation than the equator because the angle of incidence is much smaller. The sun’s rays do not strike the Earth’s surface as directly at the North Pole; they are less focused.

Why are the tropics hot?

The sun shines more directly on the tropics than on higher latitudes (at least in the average over a year), which makes the tropics warm (Stevens 2011). Because of these differences, clouds and rain are more difficult to forecast in the tropics than at higher latitudes.

Why does the Equator receive less insolation?

Equator receives comparatively less insolation than the tropics due to presence of clouds. Generally, at the same latitude the insolation is more over the continent than over the oceans because more clouds over the oceans reflect sun rays back into space.

Why does insolation decrease as we move away from the Equator?

As the sun rays go up towards the direction of the poles of both north hemisphere and south hemisphere, we observe the rays of the sun fall on the slanting position. The slope increases gradually. In this process, the radiation of the sun falls on a larger area as we go away from the equator.

Why is the equator warmest Quizizz?

Q. Why is the Equator warmest? Because it is closest to the sun.

How hot is it on the equator?

Average annual temperatures in equatorial lowlands are around 31 °C (88 °F) during the afternoon and 23 °C (73 °F) around sunrise. Rainfall is very high away from cold ocean current upwelling zones, from 2,500 to 3,500 mm (100 to 140 in) per year.

Why do regions near the equator have a warmer climate compared to those that are from the equator?

Why is it hotter at the equator than it is at the poles? Because the sun’s rays hit the earth’s surface at a higher angle at the equator.

Why does the equator have the highest amount of insolation?

So “insolation” (the amount of sunlight hitting the Earth per square meter it at it’s greatest when the sun is overhead and at it’s least as it just grazes the ground as it’s at the horizon. Since the sun is more vertically overhead at the equator – it gets the largest average amount of insolation.

Why is there less gravity at the equator than at the Poles?

Since gravity is inversely proportional to the radius. This factor reduces the net gravity at equator compared to the pole. Centrifugal force: At equator centrifugal force acts outward i.e opposite to the direction of force of gravity which acts towards the center of the Earth.

Where is the maximum insolation at the Tropic of cancer?

It is at this time that the maximum insolation is at the Tropic of Cancer. Around September 22, the Earth will reach a position known as an equinox (Latin: aequus, equal; nox, night) where day and night will be of equal length everywhere on Earth.

Why does the path of light become more horizontal near the equator?

Another reason is light rays striking the poles travel more distance in atmosphere then rays striking the equator. Atmosphere scatters and absorbs the light. More time in atmosphere means more loss of light. Why does the solar path become more horizontal when it is near to the pole, but it becomes more vertical when it is near to the equator?