Where is insolation highest at Earth's surface and why is there such a difference in sunlight throughout the year between latitudes higher vs lower latitudes?
Insolation is highest at Earth's surface in the tropical regions, particularly around the equator. This is because the Sun's rays strike the Earth at a more direct angle near the equator, spreading their energy over a smaller area and increasing their intensity. As a result, tropical regions receive more solar radiation throughout the year than higher or lower latitudes.
The difference in sunlight throughout the year between higher and lower latitudes is significant. At higher latitudes, the Sun's rays strike the Earth at a more oblique angle, spreading their energy over a larger area and reducing their intensity. Additionally, the days are shorter at higher latitudes, particularly during the winter months, further reducing the total amount of sunlight received. In contrast, at lower latitudes, the Sun's rays strike the Earth at a more direct angle, and the days are longer, resulting in a greater total amount of sunlight received throughout the year.
Higher latitudes experience greater lengths of daylight and night. Lower latitudes experience more consistent lengths of daylight throughout the year. The equator always experiences 12 hours of daylight every day of the year. The lowest latitudes get the most energy from the Sun. The highest latitudes get the least. The difference in solar energy received at different latitudes drives atmospheric circulation. Places that get more solar energy have more heat.The lowest latitudes get the most energy from the Sun. The highest latitudes get the least. The difference in solar energy received at different latitudes drives atmospheric circulation. Places that get more solar energy have more heat. Seasonality arises from the tilt of the earth's rotational axis with respect to its orbit around the sun, most noticeably at higher latitudes. Regional topography, large bodies of water, and the heat contributed by cities also affect temperature. At higher latitudes, the angle of solar radiation is smaller, causing energy to be spread over a larger area of the surface and cooler temperatures. he mid-day sun never shines overhead on any latitude beyond the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. The angle of the sun's rays goes on decreasing towards the poles, thus temperature decreases from equator toward the poles.The insolation reaching any one spot on Earth's surface varies according to latitude and season. Earth is a sphere. This means that the sun's rays hit the different latitudes of Earth at different angles. The angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth determines the intensity of the solar radiation at that location.Tropical deserts receive the maximum quantity of insolation on the earth's surface. The most insolation is received over the subtropical deserts, which have the least number of clouds. At the equinoxes, solar insolation is at a maximum at the equator and is zero at the poles. At the summer solstice of the northern hemisphere, daily insolation reaches a maximum at the North Pole because of the 24-hour-long solar day. At the equinoxes, solar insolation is at a maximum at the equator and is zero at the poles. At the summer solstice of the northern hemisphere, daily insolation reaches a maximum at the North Pole because of the 24-hour-long solar day.