Why does less solar radiation reach the poles and why is latitude the most important factor that affects climate?
In fact near the equator, the Sun's rays strike the Earth most directly, while at the poles the rays strike at a steep angle. This means that less solar radiation is absorbed per square cm (or inch) of surface area at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes, and that the tropics are warmer than the poles. The angle of sunlight hitting the equator is more direct than it is at the poles, so the poles receive less direct sunlight.The amount of solar radiation received by the planet is greatest at the Equator and lessens toward the poles. At the poles the Sun never rises very high in the sky and sunlight filters through a thick wedge of atmosphere. Latitude is the most important climatic control, due to the effect is has on the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. The seasonal changes in incoming solar radiation, as well as the length of the day, vary with latitude.Lines of latitude are significant not just for global navigation but, more fundamentally, because they reflect the changing angle of the sun in respect to the earth. This alone determines day length, seasonality, and to a large extent, climate. The more slanted the sun's rays are, the longer they travel through the atmosphere, becoming more scattered and diffuse. Because the Earth is round, the frigid Polar Regions never get a high sun, and because of the tilted axis of rotation, these areas receive no sun at all during part of the year. At the equator, the Sun's rays are most direct. This is where temperatures are highest. At higher latitudes, the Sun's rays are less direct. The farther an area is from the equator, the lower its temperature. Generally, the higher the latitude, the greater the range in solar radiation received over the year and the greater the difference from season to season. There is a relationship between latitude and temperature around the world, as temperatures are typically warmer approaching the Equator and cooler approaching the Poles. There are variations, though, as other factors such as elevation, ocean currents, and precipitation affect climate patterns. The latitude and altitude affect the pressure and wind system. It causes changes in rainfall pattern and temperature. The regions that are far from the sea experience extreme weather conditions. There is a very high temperature in summers and very low in winters. The Sun's angle is much lower, so the rays of energy are spread out over a much larger area and are therefore less intense. Because of the Earth's curvature, the rays must travel further through the atmosphere, with more chance of being reflected. The amount of solar radiation varies with latitude because of the curvature of the earth. The temperature decreases from the equator to the poles.
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