Why Is It Hotter At The Equator Than At The Poles?

The Sun’s Energy However… The energy Earth receives from the sun is called insolation This is what warms the Earth However…

Shape Matters Not all areas of the Earth receive the same amount of energy. This is because the Earth is a sphere, and the sun’s energy is only coming from one point in space. The equator receives more energy from the sun than the polar regions.

Intensity Of Insolation The intensity of insolation depends on the angle at which the sun’s rays strike the Earth’s surface. When the sun is directly overhead, the angle of insolation is 90°, and the Earth’s surface receives the maximum amount of energy. As the angle of insolation decreases, the energy of the rays is spread out over a larger area, so the energy per unit area decreases. The sunlight must also travel farther through the atmosphere, so that more insolation is absorbed or reflected before it reaches Earth’s surface.

Equator Vs. Poles Sun At Large Angle = Least Insolation Sun Overhead = Greatest Insolation Sun At Large Angle = Least Insolation

Polar Insolation Visual

Equator Insolation Visual

Time Of Year Matters Due to Earth’s tilt, the insolation the hemispheres receive is different depending on the time of year. On June 21st, the northern hemisphere receives their maximum insolation. On December 21st, the southern hemisphere receives its maximum insolation.

Monthly Mean Temperature

Putting It All Together…